TN 

24- 
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San  Francisco] 


ALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 

FERRY  BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO 
ROOT  State  Mineralogist 

BULLETIN  No.  94 


[September,  1924 


CALIFORNIA 

MINERAL  PRODUCTION 

FOR  1923 


3C173 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  I'RINTINC}  OFF! 
JOHN'  E.  KING.  SuptfiiiitPndeut 
SACRAMENTO.  1925 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 

FERRY  BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO 
LLOYD  L.  ROOT  State  Mineralogist 

San  Francisco]  BULLETIN  No.  94  [September,   1924 


CALIFORNIA 

MINERAL  PRODUCTION 

FOR  1923 


BY 
WALTER  W.  BRADLEY 

UBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORM%^ 
DAVIS 


35173 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  PRINTING  OFFICK 

FRANK  J.  SMITH.  Superintendent 

SACRAMENTO.  1924 


UBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA 


CONTENTS. 


Page 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 
INTRODUCTION    


Chapter  I. 

SUMMARY  OP  THE  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  IN  CALIFORNIA  DURING  THE 

YEAR  OF  1923 ^—  9 

Tabulation  of  the  Mineral  Production  Showing  Comparative  Amounts 

AND  Values — 1922  and  1923 11 

Table  Showing  Comparative  Mineral  Production  of  the  Various  Coun- 
ties in  California  for  1922  and  1923 12 

Total  Production,  1887-1923 13 

Chapter  II. 
FUELS    (HYDROCARBONS)— 

Introductory ^ 14 

Coal 14 

Natural  Gas ._ 15 

Petroleum 18 

METALS—  Chapter  III. 

Introductory 33 

Aluminum    '. 34 

Antimony 34 

Arsenic 35 

Beryllium 35 

Bismuth 36 

Cadmium   36 

Cobalt 37 

Copper   38 

Gold ,39 

Iridium.      (See  Platinum.) 

Iron ^__  43 

Lead , 43 

Manganese ^ 44 

Molybdenum    . . 46 

Nickel 47 

Osmium ^ . 47 

Palladium 47 

Platinum __^ .. ^^ ^ ^ ^^^"__^_1 :_. 47 

Quicksilver 50 

Silver . .__! 52 

Tin   : 54 

TUNGSTEIN Jl^ 55 

Vanadium l__ 57 

Zinc 57 

Chapter  IV. 
STRUCTURAL    MATERIALS — 

Introductory 58 

Asphalt    59 

Bituminous  Rock 59 

Brick  and  Tile 59 

Cement   . ^__; 62 

Chromite    ,__, _. 63 

Granite . 66 

Lime 68 

Magnesite 69 

Marble    __! lui. 73 

Onyx   and  Travertine i 74 

Sandstone    ^i 75 

Serpentine 75 

Slate   76 

Stone — Miscellaneous 77 

Paving  Blocks 78 

Grinding-Mill   Pebbles 79 

Sand  and   Gravel 80 

Crushed   Rock   80 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  V. 
INDUSTRIAL,  MATERIALS —  Page 

Introductory 83 

Asbestos   84 

Barytes 85 

Clay — Pottery    86 

Dolomite 88 

Feldspar 89 

Fluorspar 90 

Fuller's  Earth   91 

Gems    92 

Graphite 94 

Gypsum   95 

Infusorial  and  Diatomaceous  Earths 96 

Limestone 97 

L.ITHIA   98 

Mica 99 

Mineral  Paint 100 

Mineral  Water , 101 

Phosphates   102 

Pumice  and  Volcanic  Ash 102 

Pyrites    103 

Shale  Oil 104 

Silica — Sand    and    Quartz 104 

SiLLIMANITE    AND    ANDALUSITE 106 

SOAPSTONB   AND    TaLC 108 

Strontium 110 

Sulphur 111 

SALINES—  Chapter  VI. 

Introductory 112 

Borates 112 

Calcium  Chloride 114 

Magnesium    Salts   116 

Nitrates  : 116 

Potash 117 

Salt   118 

Soda   119 

Chapter  VII. 

MINERAL  PRODUCTION  OF  CALIFORNIA  BY  COUNTiES — 

Introductory 121 

Alameda   : 122 

Alpine 122 

Amador   122 

Butte    123 

Calaveras    123 

Colusa 123 

Contra  Costa 124 

Del  Norte 124 

El  Dorado 125 

Fresno 125 

Glenn    126 

Humboldt ' 126 

Imperial   126 

Inyo '__^ 127 

Kern Z 127 

Kings . 128 

Lake    ' I I__  i28 

Lassen 129 

Los  Angeles ' 129 

Madera    1 130 

Marin 130 

Mariposa. I__  131 

Mendocino Z 131 

Merced , 131 

Modoc ~_  132 

Mono    _" ~  132 

Monterey   Z 133 

Napa 1 ~_ 133 

Nevada » 133 


CONTENTS.  O 

PAjGB 

MINERAL.  PRODUCTION   OF   CALIFORNIA   BY   COUNTIES — Continued, 

Orange    134 

Placer 134 

Plumas   135 

Riverside 135 

Sacramento 136 

San  Benito 136 

San  Bernardino 137 

San  Diego 137 

San  Francisco • 138 

San  Joaquin 138 

San  Luis  Obispo 138 

San  Mateo 139 

Santa  Barbara 139 

Santa  Clara 140 

Santa  Cruz 140 

Shasta , 140 

Sierra    141 

Siskiyou    141 

Solano 142 

Sonoma 142 

Stanislaus . 142 

Sutter 143 

Tehama 143 

Trinity    143 

Tulare 144 

Tuolumne 144 

Ventura   145 

Yolo 145 

Yuba    1 145 

APPENDIX. 

MINING  BUREAU   ACT 1 146 

PUBLICATIONS   OF  THE   STATE   MINING   BUREAU 149 

INDEX 159 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page 
Outline  Map  of  California,  Showing  Appropriate  Location  of  Oil  Fields 28 

Elephant   Deep  Hydraulic  Mine,   at  Volcano,   Amador  County 40 

Plant  of  Monolith  Portland  Cement  Company,  at  Monolith,  Kern  County 63 

Calcining  Plant  at  Maltby  No.  2  Magnesite  Mine,  Chiles  Valley,  Napa  County —     72 

Calcining   Plant   at   the    Sampson   Magnesite    Mine,   West    of   Idria,    San   Benito 

County 72 

White    Mountains,    Mono    County,    Showing    Location    of    Andalusite    Mine    of 

Champion   Porcelain   Company   106 

Andalusite  Mine   of  Champion   Porcelain   Company,   in  White   Mountains,   Mono 

*     County 107 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


September,  1924. 

To  His  Excellency y  The  Honorable  Friend  Wm.  Richardson, 
Governor  of  the  State  of  California. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  herewith  transmit  Bulletin  No.  94  of  the 
State  Mining  Bureau,  being  the  annual  report  of  the  statistics  of  the 
mineral  production  of  California. 

The  remarkable  variety,  total  valuation,  and  wide  distribution  of 
many  of  our  minerals  revealed  herein  show  California's  importance 
as  a  producer  of  commercial  minerals  among  the  states  of  the  Union. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

Lloyd  L.  Root, 
State  Mineralogist. 


INTRODUCTION. 


It  is  the  endeavor  of  the  staff  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  in  these 
annual  reports  of  the  mineral  industries  of  California,  to  so  compile 
the  statistics  of  production  that  they  will  be  of  actual  use  to  producers 
and  to  those  interested  in  the  utilization  of  the  mineral  products  of  our 
state,  while  at  the  same  time  keeping  the  individual's  data  confidential. 
In  addition  to  the  mere  figures  of  output,  we  have  included  descriptions 
of  the  uses  and  characteristics  of  many  of  the  materials,  as  well  as  a 
brief  mention  of  their  occurrences. 

The  compilation  of  accurate  and  dependable  figures  is  an  extremely 
difficult  undertaking,  and  the  State  Mineralogist  takes  the  opportunity 
of  here  expressing  his  appreciation  of  the  cooperation  of  the  producers 
in  making  this  work  possible,  A  fuller  appreciation  of  the  value  of 
early  responses  to  the  requests  sent  out  in  January  will  result  in 
earlier  completion  of  the  manuscript.  Statistics  lose  much  of  their 
value  if  their  publication  is  unnecessarily  delayed. 

Some  of  the  data  relative  to  properties  and  uses  of  many  of  the 
minerals  herein  described  are  repeated  from  preceding  reports,  as  it 
is  intended  that  this  annual  statistical  bulletin  shall  be  somewhat  of 
a  compendium  of  information  on  California's  commercial  minerals  arid 

thfir  utilization. 

Lloyd  L.  Root, 
State  Mineralogist. 


MINERAL  INDUSTRY,  CALIFORNIA,  1923, 


DATA  COMPILED   FROM   DIRECT   RETURNS   FROM   PRO- 
DUCERS IN  ANSWER  TO  INQUIRIES  SENT  OUT  BY 
THE  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU, 
'ferry  building,  SAN  FRANCISCO, 
CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER   ONE. 

The  total  value  of  the  mineral  output  of  California  for  the  year 
1923  was  $344,024,678  being  an  increase  of  $98,840,852  over  the  1922 
total  of  $245,183,826.  There  were  fifty-four  different  mineral  sub- 
stances, exclusive  of  a  segregation  of  the  various  stones  grouped  under 
gems ;  and  all  but  one  of  the  fifty-eight  counties  of  the  state  contributed 
to  the  list. 

As  revealed  by  the  data  following,  herein,  the  salient  features  of 
1923  compared  with  the  preceding  year,  were :  The  continued  increase 
in  petroleum  yield,  although  of  lower  prices  per  barrel;  increases  in 
cement,  copper,  lead,  natural  gas,  brick  and  tile,  and  crushed  rock; 
and  decreases  in  gold  and  silver  values.  The  net  result  was  an  increase 
in  the  grand  total  of  all  groups  of  nearly  one  hundred  million  dollars, 
as  stated  above.  Petroleum  accounted  for  an  -increase  of  $69,350,044 
in  total  value  accompanying  an  increase  in  quantity  of  over  124,000,000 
barrels. 

Of  the  metals:  copper  increased  from  22,883,987  pounds  worth 
$3,090,582  to*S8,346,860  pounds  worth  $4,166,989 ;  lead,  from  6,511,280 
pounds  and  $358,120  to  9,934,522  pounds  and  $695,416;  quicksilver, 
from  3466  flasks  and  $191,851  to  5458  flasks  and  $332,851.  Gold 
decreased  from  $14,670,346  to  $13,379,013,  in  spite  of  which,  as  in  1922, 
California  continued  to  account  for  approximately  30%  of  the  gold  out- 
put of  the  United  States. 

Of  the  structural  group:  cement  advanced  from  8,962,135  barrels 
valued  at  $16,524,056  to  10,825,405  barrels  and  $25,999,203;  miscel- 
laneous stone  (comprising  crushed  rock,  sand  and  gravel,  paving  blocks, 
and  grinding-mill  pebbled)  from  a  total  valuation  of  $10,377,783  to 
$15,395,652 ;  brick  and  hollow  building  blocks  or  tile  from  $7,994,991 
to  $9,738,082 ;  magnesite,  from  55,637  tons  and  $594,665  to  73,963  tons 
and  $946,643 ;  with  granite  and  lime  also  registering  gains. 

In  the  'industrial'  group  there  w^ere  a  number  of  fluctuations,  the 
more  important  increases  being  shown  by  diatomaceous  earth,  lime- 
stone, mineral  water,  pottery  clay,  gypsum,  and  talc.  One  new  item, 
sulphur,  was  added  in  1923  to  this  list,  which  has  not  been  produced 
commercially  in  California  for  many  years.  In  the  saline  group,  all 
items  increased,  but  particularly  borates,  salt,  and  potash,  the  gain 
for  the  group  amounting  to  a  total  of  $1,479,570  more  than  the  previous 
year's  figures. 


10  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

The  figures  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau  are  made  up  from  reports 
received  direct  from  the  producers  of  the  various  minerals.  Care  is 
exercised  in  avoiding  duplication,  and  any  error  is  likely  to  be  on  the 
side  of  under-  rather  than  over-estimation. 

California  yields  commercially  a  greater  number  and  variety  of 
mineral  products  than  any  state  in  the  United  States,  and  probably 
more  than  any  other  equal  area  elsewhere  of  the  earth.  The  total 
annual  value  of  her  output  is  surpassed  by  not  more  than  four  or  five 
others,  and  those  usually  the  great  coal  states  of  east  of  the- Mississippi. 
California  was  for  many  years  the  sole  domestic  source  of  borax, 
chromite  and  magnesite.  We  lead  all  other  states  in  the  production  of 
gold,  quicksilver,  and  platinum;  and  have  alternated  in  the  lead  with 
Colorado  in  tungsten,  and  with  Oklahoma  in  petroleum. 

Apropos  of  the  importance  of  hydro-electric  power  development  to 
the  mining  industry  in  California  which  has  been  noted  in  previous 
issues  of  these  mineral  statistics  reports,  the  following  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  debt  owed  by  the  hydro-electric  power  industry  to  the 
miner  is  worthy  of  quotation  :^ 

"The  power  business  in  California  had  its  beginning  in  the  mining  business. 
Miners  pioneered  the  path  of  the  hydro-electric  engineers  of  today.  Their  methods 
of  construction,  the  manner  in  which  they  moved  heavy  machinery  and  material 
into  rocky,  remote  regions,  their  designs  for  flumes,  dams,  and  ditches,  their 
tangential  water-wheel,  all  left  a  lesson  to  be  learned,  and  as  the  hydro-electric 
engineers  of  the  new  day  read  the  record  in  the  rocks  the  achievements  of  the 
sturdy  men  of  the  mountains  took  hold  of  them  and  inspired  the  vision  that  brought 
about  the  wonderful  developments  of  the  power  industry  that  have  made  California 
the  envy  of  the  world. 

"None  know  the  story  be-tter  than  the  P.  G.  and  E.  This  company  supplied  more 
power  to  gold  mines  than  all  other  companies  in  the  State  combined.  Never  an 
engineer  goes  over  its  system  but  he  realizes  its  debt  to  the  old  miners.  Ten  of 
the  company's  twenty-eight  water-power  plants  were  originally  initiated  to  provide 
energy  for  mining  operations.  Nine  of  its  plants  were  installed  on  canals  dug  to 
supply  water  for  mines.  Out  of  that  same  hunt  for  gold  came  ten  of  the  company's 
reservoirs.  Blindly,  perhaps,  but  like  a  Titan,  the  old-time  miner  builded  for  the 
future.  Tonight  his  reservoirs,  feeding  power  plants  on  some  Sierra  slope,  will 
light  homes  hundreds  of  miles  away.  Some  of  his  canals,  blasted  out  of  the  rocks 
in  the  old  pack-train  days  of  the  '50's  still  wind  their  rugged  way  through  twenty 
miles  and  more  of  mountain  in  the  great  wheels  that  in  a  twinkling  create  the 
spark  that  spins  a  thousand  factory  wheels  and  makes  goods,  and  work  for  multi- 
tudes, and  cargoes  for  ships,  and  payrolls,  and  prosperity. 

"It  is  a  stirring  tale,  a  tale  too  long  to  be  told  in  a  breath.  It  is  a  book,  a  book 
not  yet  written  and  too  vast  a  work  for  the  modest  chronicler.  The  miner  made 
California,  and  it  is  still  his  state,  for  the  age  of  electricity  has  but  sealed  his  title." 

^California's  debt  to  the  miner:  P.  G.  &  E.  Progress,  Vol.  1,  No.  8,  p.  2,  July,  1924. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


11 


By  Substances. 

The  following  table  shows  the  comparative  yield  of  mineral  sub- 
stances of  California  -for  1922  and  1923,  as  compiled  from  the  returns 
received  at  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  San  Francisco,  in  answer  to 
inquiries  sent  to  producers: 


I 


1922 

im 

Increa8e+ 
Decrease- 
Value 

Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Asbestos    . 

50  tons 

3,370  tons 

4,624  tons 

(a)  39,087  tons 

b 

$1,800 

18,925 

13.570 

1,068.025 

b 

7.994.991 

16,524,056 

6,334 

473.184 

135.100 

3,090,582 

114,911 

37,109 

48.756 

1.312 

14,670,346 

676,643 

b 
188.336 

b 

18.868 
358,120 
671.747 
282.181 

b 

594.665 

89.788 

7.650 

127,792 

13,277 

486,424 

6,990,030 

3.320 

173.381,265 

90.288 

584.388 

4,248 

570,425 

191,851 

819.187 

1,100 

b 

31,016 

b 

3,100.065 

b 

197.186 

573.661 

10.377.783 

20  tons 

2,925  tons 

2,945  tons 

(a)  62,667  tons 

.    c 

$200 

16,058 

11,780 

1,893,798 

c 

9,738,082 

25,999,203 

1,658 

697,841 

5,090 

4,166,989 

142,615 

81,800 

55,125 

13,220 

13,379,013 

760,081 

$1,600- 

2,867- 

1,790- 

825.773+ 

0         + 

1,743,091+ 

9,475.147+ 

4,676- 

224,657+ 

130,010- 

1,076,407+ 

27,704+ 

44,691+ 

6,369+ 

11,908+ 

1,291,333- 

83,438+ 

b        - 

Barytes 

Bituminous  rock 

Borates — 

Calcium  chloride 

Brick  and  tile 

Cement 

8,962.135  bbls. 

379  tons 

277,232  tons 

27,020  tons 

22,883.987  lbs. 

52,409  tons 

4,587  tons 

6,606  tons 

10,825.405  bbls. 

84  tons 

376,863  tons 

1,010  tons 

28,346,860  lbs. 

69,519  tons 

11,100  tons 

3,650  tons 

Chromite 

Clay  (pottery) 

Coal 

Copper     .             ..  . 

Dolomite 

Feldspar 

Fuller's  earth 

Gf'iTi.q . , . , 

Gold 

Granite 

Graphite 

b 
47,084  tons 

b 

3,588  tons 

6.511,280  lbs. 

57,875  tons 

84,382  tons 

b 
55,637  tons 
3,036  tons 
540  tons 
38,321  cu.  ft 
1,620  tons 
4,276,346  gals. 
103,628.024  M.  cu.  ft 

10,950  cu.  ft 
138,468,222  bbls 

795  fine  oz. 
17.776  tons 
613  tons 
151,381  tons 
3.466  flasks 
223,238  tons 
900  cu.  ft 
b 
9,874  tons 

b 
3.100,065  fine  oz 

b 
13,378  tons 
20,084  tons 

frj^iim 

86.410  tons 

c 

3,102  tons 

9,934,522  lbs. 

70,894  tons 

143,256  tons 

289,136 

c 

18.665 
695.416 
788,834 
348,464 

100,800+ 

c        + 
203- 

Infusorial  and  diatoma- 
ceous  earths 

Lead 

337.296+ 
117  087+ 

Lime 

Limestone 

66.283+ 

Lithia 

Magnesite 

73,963  tons 

3,662  tons 

690  tons 

28,015  cu.  ft 

1,049  tons 

5,487,276  gals. 

240,405,397  M.  cu.  ft 

14,220  cu.  ft 
262,875,690  bbls. 
602  fine  oz. 
29,597  tons 
2,936  tons 
148,004  tons 
5.458  flasks 
275,979  tons 
7.000  cu.  ft. 

c 
7,964  tons 

c 
3,559,443  fine  oz. 

946,643 

116,031 

10,620 

124,919 

11,773 

616,919 

15,661,433 

2,510 

242.731,309 

78,546 

709,836 

16,309 

555,308 

332,851 

1.130.670 

13.000 

c 

30.420 

c' 
2.918.743 

351.978+ 

26,243+ 

2.970+ 

2,873- 

1  504— 

Magnesium  salts ^. 

Manganese  ore -. 

Marble 1 

Mineral  paint 

Mineral  water 

130,495+ 

8.671.403+ 

810- 

69.350,044+ 

11,742- 

125,448+ 

12,061+ 

15,117- 

141,000+ 

311.483+ 

11.900+ 

Natural  gas 

Onjrx  and  travertine... 
Petroleum 

Platinum 

Potash 

Pumice  and  volcanic  ash 
Pyrites 

Quicksilver . 

Salt 

Sandstone 

Shale  oU 

Silica  (sand  and  quartz). 

Sillimanite  and  andal- 

usite — . 

596-" 
0        + 

Silver 

181,322- 

Slate 

Soapstone  and  talc 

Soda 

17,439  tons 
34.885  tons 

252,661 

764.284 

15,395,652 

e 

19.126 

65.475+ 

190.623+ 

5  017  869+ 

Stone,  miscellaneous(d) 

Sulphur 

0 

34  tons 

c        + 

19.126+ 

172.963— 

Tungsten  concentrates 

Zinc 

3.034.430  lbs. 

172,963 
b380  558 

Unapportioned. 

c2,482.047 

2  101,489+ 

Total  values 

$245,183,826 

$344,024,678 

Net  increase 

"$98.840'852+ 

(a)  Recalculated  to  40%  'anhydrous  boric  acid'  equivalent 

(b)  Unapportioned— includes  calcium  chloride,  graphite,  diatomaceous  earth,  lithia,  shale  oil,  silUmanlte-andahisite 
and  slate. 

(c)  Unapportioned— Includes  diatomaceous  earth,  calcium  chloride,  shale  oil,  sillimanite-andalusite,  and  sulphor 

(d)  Includes  macadam,  ballast,  rubble,  riprap,  paving  blocks,  sand,  gravel,  and  grinding-mill  pebbles 


12 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


By  Counties. 

The  following  table  shows  the  comparative  value  of  the  mineral  pro- 
duction of  the  various  counties  in  the  state,  for  the  years  1922  and 
1923 : 


County 

1922 

: — 

1923 

$2,041,454 

2,800 

2,479,063 

720,625 

1,502,883 

75,934 

2,397,312 

6,261 

184,525 

10,853,433 

91,250 

125.613 

188,739 

2,137,681 

68,551,002 

6,806 

48,289 

27.327 

62,761,671 

476,264 

403,099 

226,832 

20,526 

157,579 

16,018 

86,863 

255,319 

312,270 

2.966.005 

38,926.087 

405.976 

3,314.498 

3.243.017 

2.189,562 

1,794,248 

8,547,900 

656,807 

65,409 

473,396 

141,470 

243,984 

4,613,358 

894.036 

3,608.805 

1,513.591 

1,770.626 

101,463 

3,108,114 

221,941 

452.167 

97 

9,388 

197,937 

371,846 

764,938 

6,837,078 

13,431 

2,688,316 

$2,487,035 

Alpine 

Amador 

1.965.874 

Butte       _. . .... 

841.948 

Calaveras    -  ........ ....... ................... 

1  498  119 

Colusa 

75  000 

Contra  Costa                       ..    ..                 .  ...  .... 

2.672.944 
34,027 

Del  Norte 

EI  Dorado 

216,065 

Fresno.  _. .................... . . .... ......... .. . 

4  883,331 

Glenn 

113  282 

Humboldt 

434,706 

Imperial 

264,733 
2,845,581 

Kern 

41  812,416 

Kings - 

1  566 

T4tke ...n,. 

101  038 

Lassen        ......... ....... .................    . 

7  840 

Los  Angeles 

174,367,469 

Madera 

618,035 

Marin 

688  881 

Mariposa ............. .................. ........ ........ ._ 

170  911 

Mendocino............... ....... .... .. ... 

63  410 

Merced    

235  630 

Modoc 

8,397 

Mono 

92  791 

Monterey.................................................. .......... 

222  022 

Napa 

351  692 

Nevada 

2.370,770 
46,468,989 

Orange 

Placer 

494,613 

PIlIITIM 

3,784  262 

Riverside 

7  093  853 

Sacramento..................................................    .        ... 

2  436  015 

San  Benito 

2,277.903 

13.777,253 

821,796 

San  Bernardino..........................    ...  ... 

San  Diego 

San  Francisco 

117,341 
811  229 

San  Joaquin ...................................................  ... 

San  Luis  Obispo . . 

145  249 

San  Mateo 

329,810 
5,005,872 

Santa  Barbara 

Santa  Clara 

1.320,393 

4,226,905 

1,563.387 

886  610 

Santa  Crua 

Shasta    ...    .......... 

Sierra ^ I. 

Siskiyou 

181.011 

3.376.885 

227  312 

Solano 

Sonoma 

Stanislaus 

445.615 
97 

Sutter 

Tehama 

6  216 

Trinity 

677.174 

466.669 

670.362 

4,679.684 

Tulare ——..-................ 

Tuolumne... ............................    .. 

Ventura 

Yolo 

16.967 
3,391,129 

Yuba 

Total  Tahiei 

$246,183,826 

$344,024,678 

STATISTICS  OP  ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


13 


Total   Mineral   Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

The  following  tabulation  gives  the  total  value  of  mineral  production 
of  California  by  years  since  1887,  in  which  year  compilation  of  such 
data  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  began.  At  the  side  of  these  figures 
the  writer  has  placed  the  values  of  the  most  important  metal  and  non- 
metal  items — gold  and  petroleum. 

In  the  same  period  copper  made  an  important  growth  beginning  with 
1897  following  the  entry  of  the  Shasta  County  mines,  and  more 
recently  Plumas  County.  Cement  increased  rapidly  from  1902,  while 
crushed  rock,  sand  and  gravel  as  a  group  parallels  the  cement  increase. 
Quicksilver  has  been  up  and  down.  Mineral  water  and  salt  have 
always  been  important  items,  but  the  values  fluctuate.  Borax  has 
increased  materially  since  1896.  War-time  increases,  1915-1918,  were 
shown  by  chromite,  copper,  lead,  magnesite,  manganese,  silver,  tungsten 
and  zinc.  Most  of  these,  except  silver,  have  since  declined;  with 
structural  materials  and  copper  increasing  in  1920-1923,  also  lead  and 
maornesite  in  1923. 


Total   Mineral   Production  of  California   by  Years,  Since  1887. 


Tear 


j  Total  value  of 
i    all  minerals 


1887  __ 

$19  785  868 

1888  

19469320 

1889  ._   . 

16  681  731 

1890  

1&039666 

1891  . 

18  872  413 

1892  

18.300  168 

1893  _. 

18  811  261 

1894  

20203294 

1895  _ 

22  844  663 

1896  -_-_ 

24,291398 

1897  ._ 

25 142  441 

1898  _^ 

—  -       27,289,079 

1899  I.   _   __ 

29  313  460 

1900  ■ __ 

32  622  945 

1901  L    „   _ 

34  355  981 

1902  L 

35069105 

1903  __ 

37  759040 

1904  ._ ___ 

43  778,348 

1905  __ 

43069227 

1906  

46,776,085 

1907  . 

55697  949 

1908  _ 

_ 66,363,198 

1909  

82.972.209 

1910  

88,419,079 

1911  _.   . 

87  497,879 

1912  __ _._. 

__ 88,972,385 

1913  

98  644  639 

1914  _ 

1915 

1   93,314,773 

96663369 

1916  

1917  

I   127,901,610 

_-  -   J   161,202;9e2 

1918 

i   199,753,837 

1919  _   _      « 

195  830  002 

1920  

1  242,099,667 

1921  .„ __„ 

___    268,157,472 

1922  

1923  _.._ ._ 

i  245,183.826 

344,024,678 

Totals 

- _!$a095.775.027 

Gold,  value 


Petroleum, 
value 


$13,588,614 
12,750,000 
11,212,913 
12,309,793 
12,728,869 
12.571.900 
12,422.811 
13,923,281 
15,334,317 
17,181,562 
15,871,401 
15.906,478 
15.336,031 
15.863.355 
16,989.044 
16.910,320 
16,471,264 
19,109,600 
19,197,043 
18,732,452 
16,727,928 
18,761,559 
20,237,870 
19,715,440 
19,738,908 
19,713,478 
20,406,958 
20,653,496 
22,442,296 
21,410,741 
20,087,501 
16.529,162 
16,695,955 
14,311.043 
15,704,822 
14.670,346 
ia379,013 


$1,357,144 

1,380,666 

368,048 

384,200 

401,264 

.     561,333 

608,092 

1,064,521 

1,000,235 

1.180,793 

1,918,269 

2,376.420 

2,660.793 

4,152,928 

2,961.102 

4,692.189 

7,313.271 

8.317.809 

9,007,820 

9.238.020 

16,783.943 

26,566,181 

32.398,187 

37,689,542 

40,552,088 

41,868,344 

48,578,014 

47.487,109 

43,503.837 

57.421,334 

86.976,209 

127.459.221 

142,610.563 

178.394.937 

203,138,225 

173,381,265 

242.731.309 


$615,597,567    $1,608,485,225 


14 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER  TWO. 


FUELS. 


Among  the  most  important  mineral  products  of  California  are  its 
fuels.  This  subdivision  includes  coal,  natural  gas,  and  petroleum,  the 
combined  values  of  which  made  up  75%  of  the  state's  entire  mineral 
output  for  the  year  1923. 

There  are  deposits  of  peat  known  in  several  localities  in  California, 
small  amounts  of  which  are  used  as  a  fertilizer,  and  in  stock-food 
preparations,  but  none  has  as  yet  been  recorded  as  utilized  for  fuel. 

Comparison  of  values  during  1922  and  1923  is  shown  in  the  follow- 
ing table: 


1922 

1923 

Increases- 
Decrease  — 

Amount 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Value 

Coal 

27,020  tons 
103,628,027M  cu.ft. 
138,468,222  bbls. 

$135,100 

6,990,030 

173,381,265 

1,010  tons 
240,405,397M  cu.ft. 
262,875,690  bbls. 

$5,090 

15,661,433 

242.731,309 

$130  010— 

8.671,403+ 
69,350,044+ 

Petroleum 

Total  value. 

$180,506,395 

$258,397,832 

Net  increase  .       

$77,891,437+ 

COAL. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VII,  XII,,  XIII,  XIV, 
XV,  XVII,  XIX  (inc.),  pp.  152-157.  U.  S.  G.  S.  Bulletins  285, 
316,  431,  471,  581;  An.  Rpt.  22,  Pt.  III. 

Coal  production  in  California  in  1923  totaled* only  1010  tons  valued 
at  $5,090,  being  credited  to  Mendocino  and  Riverside  counties.  None 
of  it  was  marketed,  but  it  was  consumed  for  local  camp  purposes  and 
for  power  and  forge  use  in  development  work  on  the  deposits.  Besides 
the  localities  mentioned  above,  development  work  was  also  under  way  on 
coal  deposits  in  San  Benito  and  Shasta  counties.  In  the  former,  at 
the  property  of  the  San  Benito  Coal  Company,  it  is  proposed  to  install 
an  electric-power  generating  and  by-product  plant,  rather  than  to 
ship  the  coal,  owing  to  the  distance  from  rail  transportation. 


Total  Coal   Production  of  California. 

The  very  considerable  output  of  coal  in  the  years  previous  to  1883 
was  almost  entirely  from  the  Mount  Diablo  district.  Contra  Costa 
County.  Later  the  Tesla  mine  in  Corral  Hollow,  Alameda  County, 
was  an  important  producer  for  a  few  years.  Stone  Canyon,  Monterey 
County,  was  also  an  important  producer  for  a  short  time,  and  there 
has  been  some  coal  shipped  from  properties  in  Amador,  Fresno,  Orange, 
Riverside,  and  Siskiyou  counties.  The  following  tabulation  gives  the 
annual  tonnages  and  values,  according  to  available  records: 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 
Coal  Output  and  Value  by  Years. 


15 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1861      -- 

6.620 

23,400 

43,200 

50.700 

60.530 

84.020 

124.690 

143.676 

157,234 

141,890 

152,493 

190,859 

186,611 

215,352 

166,638 

128,049 

107,789 

134.237 

147.879 

236.950 

140.000 

112.592 

76,162 

77,485 

71,615 

100,000 

50.000* 

95.000 

121.280 

110,711 

93,301 

85.178 

$38,065 
134,550 
248,400 
291,525 
348,048 
483,115 
716,968 
826.137 
904.096 
815.868 
876,835 
1,097,439 
1,073,013 
1,238,274 
958,169 
736,282 
619,787 
771,863 
850.304 
1,362,463 
805,000 
647.404 
380.810 
309.950 
286.460 
300,000 
150,000 
380,000 
288,232 
283,019 
204.902 
209.711 

1893 - 

72.603 

59,887 

79.858 

70,649 

87,449 

143,045 

160,941 

176,956 

150,724 

88,460 

93,026 

79,062 

46,500 

24,850 

23,734 

18,496 

49,389 

11,033 

11,047 

14,484 

25,198 

11,859 

10,299 

4.037 

3,527 

6,343 

2,983 

2,078 

12,467 

27,020 

1.010 

$167,555 

1862 

1894 ._. 

139.862 

1863 

1895 _ 

193.790 

1864 

1896 - 

161.335 

1865 

1897 -- 

196,255 

1866     

1898 

337,475 

1867          

1899 

420,109 

1868            -  - 

1900- 

535,531 

1869 

1901 

401,772 

1870 

1902 _ 

248,622 

1871   

1903 - 

265.383 

1872         _.. 

1904.. _ 

376,494 

1873          

1905. 

144.500 

1874 

1906.  — 

61.600 

1875 

1907 .- 

55.849 

1876 

1908 

55.503 

1877 

1909 

216.913 

1878           -  .-- 

1910 

23.484 

1879 

1911 

18.297 

1880 

1912 

39.092 

1881 

1913 

85.809 

1882 _._ 

1914 

28.806 

1883         

1915 

26.662 

1884 

1916 

7.030 

1885 

1917 .-- 

7,691 

1886 

1918 

16,149 

1887 -- 

1919 - 

8,203 

1888 

1920 

5.450 

1889 

1921 

63.578 

1890 

1922 

135.100 

1891 

1923. 

5.090 

Totals 

5.205.155 

$23,085,678 

The  tonnages  in  the  above  table  for  the  years  1861-1886  (inel.)  are  taken  from  the 
U.  S,  Geological  Survey.  "Mineral  Resources  of  the  U.  S.,  1910,"  p.  107.  The  values 
assigned  for  the  years  previous  to  1883  are  those  given  by  W.  A.  Goodyear  (Min- 
eral Res..  1882,  pp.  93-94),  being  an  average  of  $5.75  per  ton.  From  1887  to  date 
the  figures  are  those  of  the  California  State  Mining  Bureau. 


'  NATURAL  GAS. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VII,  X,  XII,  XIII,  XIV. 
Bulletins  3,  16,  19,  69,  73,  89.  Monthly  Summary,  Oil  &  Gas 
Supervisor,  Dec.  1919;  Aug.  1922;  Mar.  1923. 

Statistics  on  the  production  of  natural  gas  in  California  are  in  a  con- 
siderable degree  difficult  to  arrive  at,  as  much  of  it  that  is  utilized 
directly  at  the  wells  for  heating,  lighting,  and  driving  gas  engines  is 
not  measured.  Hence,  it  is  necessary  to  approximate  the  output  of 
many  of  the  operators  in  the  oil  fields,  estimated  on  the  number  of 
lights,  and  on  the  number  and  horsepower  of  gas  engines  and  steam 
boilers  thus  operated.  The  figures  here  given  are  for  gas  utilized 
locally  and  also  that  sold  for  distribution  to  consumers;  and  we  con- 
sider are  not  over-estimated,  particularly  in  the  six  oil-producing 
counties.  It  must  be  remembered  that  several  of  our  important  oil 
fields  are  removed  many  miles  from  the  site  of  any  other  industry,  and 
that  the  gathering  of  small  amounts  of  gas  and  transporting  it  for  any 
considerable  distance  may  not  always  be  profitable.  Wherever  feasible, 
casing-head  gas  is  used  in  driving  gas  engines  for  pumping  and  drilling, 
and  in  firing  the  boilers  of  steam-driven  plants. 


.lb  MINERAI.    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

The  most  notable  gas  developments  in  California  in  recent  years  have 
been  in  the  Elk  Hills  and  Biiena  Vista  Hills  in  Kern  County,  north- 
east of  the  Midway  district,  and  in  the  new  oil  fields  in  the  Los  Angeles 
basin,  Los  Angeles  County.  The  yield  of  natural  gas  in  the  last-named 
district  increased  many  fold  in  1923  over  that  of  1922,  the  amount 
actually  utilized  being  six  times  that  of  the  preceding  year.  Lack  of 
sufficient  pipe-lines  and  other  facilities  to  handle  such  an  enormous 
increase  made  it  impossible  to  prevent  large  quantities  going  to  waste 
into  the  air. 

The  subject  of  natural  gas  production  and  its  utilization  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  state  have  been  covered  in  considerable  detail 
by  Mr.  H.  L.  Masser,^  gas  engineer  for  the  Railroad  Commission  of 
California,  and  quoted  in  our  statistical  report^  of  a  year  ago,  to 
which  the  reader  is  referred. 

Production  and  Value. 

There  is  rather  a  wide  variation  in  prices  quoted  for  natural  gas 
because  a  considerable  part  is  used  directly  in  the  field  for  driving 
gas  engines  and  firing  boilers,  and  is  therefore  not  measured  nor  sold. 
Such  companies  as  have  placed  a  valuation  on  the  gas  that  was  thus 
used  in  1923  gave  from  2<^-20^  per  1000  cubic  feet,  at  the  well.  From 
the  totals  shown  in  the  tabulation  following  herein,  the  average  value 
for  all  fields  in  1923  works  out  at  approximately  6.5^.  Approximately 
7000  cubic  feet  of  gas  is  equal  to  one  barrel  of  oil  in  heating  value, 
and  is  so  accounted  for  by  many  operators.  In  driving  gas  engines, 
about  4000  cu.  ft.  per  24  hr.  are  consumed  by  a  25-h.p.  engine  and 
63,700  cu.  ft.  per  day  for  heating  a  70-h.p.  steam  boiler,  which  figures 
have  been  utilized  in  compiling  this  report,  in  those  cases  where  gas 
was  not  metered. 

Natural  Gas,  1923,  by  Counties. 

County                                                                                        .  M  cu.  ft.  Value 

Fresno   1,599,354  $122,702 

Kern 42,421,592  2,051,656 

Kings    ; 1,990                             970 

Los  Angeles 134,799,452  8,760.961 

Orange     55,477,147  3,914,661 

Santa  Barbara 1,612,287                     172,725 

Tulare    380                             190 

Ventura ^ 4,162,318                     470,261 

Butte,    Humboldt,    Lake,    Mendocino,    Sacramento, 

San  Joaquin,    Santa  Clara,    Sutter,   Yuba*' 330,877                      167,307 

Totals 240,405,397  $15,661,433 

•Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

The  above  totals  for  1923  compare  with  103,628,027  M  cu.  ft, 
vali:jed  at  $6,990,030  in  1922,  being  nearly  2^  times  the  quantity  and 
morj2  than  double  the  value.  The  Ijos  Angeles  County  yield  jumped 
from  23,254,549  M  cu.  ft.  to  134,799,452  M  cu.  ft.;  and  Orange 
County  from  25,269,402  M  cu.  ft.  to  55,477,147  M  cu.  ft.  Ventura 
County  showed  a  slight  increase,  while  Fresno,  Kern,  and  Santa 
Barbara  counties  dropped  slightly. 

The  1923  total  of  (juantity  is  approximately  one-half  of  the  previously 

^Masser,  H.  L.  Natural  gas  production  and  utilization  in  southern  California: 
Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Summary  of  Oil  Field  Operations,  Vol.  8,  No.  9,  pp.  5-66, 
Mar.  1923. 

«Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bulletin  93,  pp.  18-22,  1923. 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


17 


recorded  total  for  California  for  the  years  1888-1922  inclusive ;  and  the 
:    1923  total  of  value  equals  41%  of  the  total  value  for  the  same  period. 

Natural  Gas  Production   in  California,  Since  1888. 

The  production  of  natural  gas  in  California  by  years  since  1888  is 
given  in  the  following  table.  The  first  economic  use  of  natural  gas  in 
California  was  from  the  famous  Court  House  well  at  Stockton,  bored 
in  1854-1858.  Beginning  about  1883  and  for  several  succeeding  years, 
a  number  of  gas  wells  were  brought  in  around  Stockton.  Natural  gas 
was  known  in  a  number  of  other  localities,  and  occasionally  utilized  in 
a  small  way,  notably  at  Kelseyville  in  Lake  County,  and  in  Humboldt 
County  near  Petrolia  and  Eureka,  but  there  are  no  available  authentic 
records  of  amounts  or  values  previous  to  the  year  1888.  The  most 
important  developments  in  the  commercial  production  of  natural  gas 
have  been  coincident  with  developments  in  the  oil  fields,  by  utilizing 
the  casing-head  gas  as  well  as  that  from  dry-gas  wells. 


Tear 


1889, 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893, 

1894. 

1895. 

1896. 

1897. 

1898. 

1899. 

1900. 

1901. 

1902. 

1903. 

1904. 

1905. 


M  cubic  feet 

Value 

»12,000 

$10,000 

-14.500 

12,680 

"41,250 

33,000 

•39,000 

30,000 

•75,000 

55,000 

•84,000 

68,500 

•  ''85,080 

79,072 

•  •'110,800 

112,000 

•  "131,100 

111,457 

•71,300 

62,657 

•111,165 

74,424 

115,110 

95,000 

40,566 

34,578 

120,800 

92,034 

120,968 

99,443 

120,134 

75,237 

144,437 

91,035 

148,345  i 

102,479 

Year 


1906. 

1907. 

1908. 

1909. 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915. 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1921 

1922 

1923 


M  cubic  feet 


Value 


168,175 

169,991 

842,883 

1,148,467 

10,579,933 

•5,000,000 

•12,600,000 

14,210,836 

16,529,963 

21,992,892 

28,134,365 

44,343,020 

46,373,052 

52,173,503 

58,567,772 

67,043,797 

103,628,027 

240,405,397 


$109,489 

114,759 

47,4,584 

616,932 

1,676,367 

491,859 

940,076 

1,053,292 

1,049,470 

1,706,480 

2,871,751 

2,964,922 

3,289.524 

4,041.217 

3,898,286 

4.704.678 

6,990,030 

15,661,433 


Totals. 


725,497,628      $53,883,745 


•Quantity,  in  part,  estimated,  where  values  only  were  reported. 
••Ineludes  natural  CO2  from  a  mine  in  Santa  Clara  County. 

Gasoline  From    Natural  Gas. 

More  or  less  gas  usually  accompanies  the  petroleum  in  the  oil  fields, 
and  such  gas  carries  varying  amounts  of  gasoline.  More  than  80  plants 
are  in  operation  recovering  gasoline  by  compression  or  absorption 
from  this  '  casing-head '  gas.  After  the  gasoline  is  extracted,  the  remain- 
ing 'dry  gas'  is  taken  into  the  pipe  lines,  by  which  it  is  distributed 
to  consumers,  both  domestic  and  commercial. 

In  the  Midway  field,  some  of  the  casing-head  gasoline  is  obtained  as 
an  incidental  product  to  the  compressing  of  the  natural  gas  preliminary 
to  transmission  through  the  gas  pipe  lines.  Some  concerns  market 
casing-head  gasoline  separately  while  others  turn  it  into  the  oil  pipe 
lines,  thus  mixing  this  high-gravity  gasoline  with  the  crude  oil  for 
transportation  to  the  refinery,  where  it  is  later  regained.  A  total  of 
156,263,015  gallons  of  casing-head  gasoline  valued  at  $13,197,578  from 
all  fields  was  reported  by  87  operators,  as  made  during  1923.     This 


2—35173 


18  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

compares  with  63,191,381  gallons  by  55  operators  in  1922.     It' was 
distributed  by  counties,  as  follows: 

County  Gallons  Value 

Fresno                 —        440,200  $49,657 

Kern                 ' I" 58,516,325  5,393,233 

Los  Angeles II-I- 46,002.588  2,737,519 

Oranee     39,720,716  3,626.212 

Santa    Barbara    _I_" - 6.926.040  831.124 

Ventura  - 4,657,146  559,833 

Totals 156.263,015  $13,197,578 

The  usual  recoveries  of  gasoline  from  natural  gas  vary  from  ^  gal. 
to  3  gal.  per  1000  cu.  ft.  of  gas  handled,  the  average  being  about  1  gal. 
per  1000  cu.  ft. 

PETROLEUM. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  VII,  X,  XII,  XIII. 
Bulletins,  3,  11,  16,  19,  31,  32,  63,  69,  73,  82,  84,  89.  Reports  of 
Oil  and  Gas  Supervisor  1915  to  date  (issued  in  monthly  chapters 
since  April,  1919).  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Bulletins,  213,  285,  309, 
317,  321,  322,  340,  357,  398,  406,  431,  471,  451,  581,  603,  621, 
623,  653,  691;  Prof.  Papers,  116,  117. 

The  crude  oil  production  of  California  for  1923  amounted  to  a  total 
of  262,875,690  barrels  of  clean  oil,  valued  at  $242,731,309  at  the  well. 
This  total  of  quantity  is  compiled  from  the  monthly  production  reports 
filed  by  the  operators  with  the  State  Oil  and  Gas  Supervisor,  to  which 
have  been  added  figures  for  the  output  of  a  number  of  small  operators 
in  the  Los  Angeles  city  field  not  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Super- 
visor, and  from  one  property  in  Santa  Clara  County. 

The  question  of  the  value  of  the  crude  oil  yield,  at  the  well,  is  a 
difficult  one  to  settle  with  exactitude,  principally  because  a  large  part 
of  the  output  is  not  sold  until  after  refining.  The  large  refiners  are 
also  large  producers  of  crude  oil  which  they  send  direct  from  well  to 
plant,  hence  much  of  the  crude  is  not  sold  as  such.  The  values  used 
in  the  statistical  reports  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau  since  1914  have 
been  derived  from  averages  of  actual  sales  of  crude  oil  of  all  grades 
in  each  field  of  the  state,  and  these  averages  applied  to  the  total  yield 
of  the  respective  fields.  This  we  feel  is  a  safer  measure  of  commercial 
values  than  market  quotations,  because  quotations  do  not  always  mean 
sales. 

Features  of  1923. 

The  outstanding  feature  of  the  year  1923  in  the  oil  industry  of 
California  w^as  the  continued  increase  in  Los  Angeles  and  Orange 
counties  due  to  intensive  drilling  of  new  and  gusher  wells  yielding 
high-gravity  oil,  with  consecjuent  overproduction.  This  necessitated 
the  continued  shutting-in  of  low-gravity  wells  in  other  fields  of  the 
state.  As  in  1922,  this  resulted  in  further  decreased  output  of  crude 
oil  in  Fresno,  Kern,  and  Santa  Barbara  counties.  The  peak  of  pro- 
duction came  in  the  month  of  August,  1923,  when  the  State's  total 
amounted  to  26,440,005  barrels,  followed  by  a  figure  only  slightly 
less  for  the  month  of  September.  The  increase  in  Los  Angeles  County 
alone  was  more  than  four-fold,  while  the  Orange  County  yield  was 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  19 

">()%  greater  than  the  previous  year.  As  in  1922,  Ventura  County 
ill  so  increased,  to  the  extent  ot*  approximately  25%. 

There  were  three  reductions  in  1923  in  prices  ([uoted  for  crude  oil 
at  the  well,  above  20°  Bauine  gravity,  announced  by  the  marketing 
companies,  January  6,  April  10,  and  October  9.  The  reductions  were 
proportionately  greater  for  the  specific  gravities  above  28°  than  for 
those  below.  Both  in  1922  and  1923,  the  price  reductions  to  a  limited 
extent,  only,  affected  the  production  total  by  causing  the  shutting-in 
of  wells  yielding  oil  of  the  lower  gravities  and  in  the  districts  outside 
of  the  areas  where  intensive  campaigns  of  new  developments  were 
taking  place.  The  unprecedented  increase  in  production  taxed  the 
storage,  transportation,  and  refining  facilities  of  all  of  the  marketing 
concerns.  Shipments  by  sea  via  Panama  Canal  to  Atlantic  seaboard 
points  advanced  to  important  amounts  and  became  of  vital  assistance 
in  the  situation. 

Estimating  in  January  the  output  of  the  year  just  closed,  the  State 
Oil  and  Gas  Supervisor^  presents  the  following  observations: 

"California  again  broke  all  previous  records  in  its  production  of  petroleum  by 
producing  263,729,000  barrels  in  1923.  This  is  about  36  per  cent  of  the  amount 
produced  in  the  entire  United  States,  and  almost  double  the  amount  produced  by 
California  in  1922,  which  was  a  record  year.  This  great  increase  was  due  to  the 
intensive  and  rapid  development  of  the  Huntington  Beach,  Santa  Fe  Springs  and 
Long  Beach  fields,  where  initial  productions  of  nearly  all  the  wells  were  large. 
These  three  fields  produced  69.4  per  cent  of  the  state's  production  in  1923.  This 
tremendous  production  taxed  the  storage  capacity  and  marketing  facilities  of  the 
large  companies,  and  caused  new  markets  for  California  crude  oil  to  be  opened. 
About  92,000,000  barrels  of  crude  was  in  storage  at  the  end  of  1923,  as  compared 
with  61,380,000  barrels  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  and  notwithstanding  ahout 
54,455,000  barrels  was  shipped  through  the  Panama  Canal  to  eastern  refineries. 

"During  Septemiber,  1923,  production  reached  its  maximum,  and  then  declined, 
this  decline  continuing  to  the  end  of  the  year,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  production 
was  resumed  in  some  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  fields  where  it  had  been  shut  in. 
In  December,  1923,  for  the  first  time  since  December,  1920,  storage  decreased,  or, 
in  other  words,  consumption  which  includes  oil  shipped  to  eastern  ports  through  the 
Panama  Canal,  was  greater  than  the  December  production,  which  averaged  daily 
706,000  barrels.  The  indicated  consumption  of  oil  increased  during  the  year  from 
451,613  barrels  in  December,   1922,  to  711,459  barrels  in  December,  1923. 

"There  were  three  reductions  in  the  price  of  oil  in  1923  ;  the  first  reduction  was 
made  on  January  6,  when  all  grades,  including  20  degrees  Baume  and  above,  were 
reduced,  the  highest  gravity  (35  degrees  and  above)  being  reduced  53  cents.  The 
next  reduction,  on  Acril  10,  for  the  refinable  oils,  amounted  to  41  cents  for  the 
highest  grade.  The  third  reduction,  amounting  to  18  cents  on  the  highest  grade, 
was  made  on  October  9.  P\iel  oil.  or  the  grades  below  20  degrees  Baum§,  remained 
stationary  during  the  year. 

"A  total  of  1400  new  wells  was  started  in  1923,  as  compared  with  1439  in  1922. 
During  the   year,   980   producing  wells  were   completed. 

"At  the  close  of  the  year  with  the  Santa  Fe  Springs,  Huntington  Beach  and' 
Long  Beach  fields  almost  completely  developed,  activity  in  the  Los  Angeles  Basin 
centered  in  Torrance  field,  but  this  field  does  not  give  promise  of  being  as  prolific, 
or  of  developing  as  rapidly,  as  the  above  mentioned  fields,  since  most  of  the  acreage 
is  held  in  comparatively  large  leases  by  the  larger  companies.  Activity  is  also 
gradually  increasing  in  the  older  fields  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley,  and  the  out- 
look for  the  petroleum  industry  for  the  year  1924  looks  bright  at  the  present  time. 
The  year  started  out  with  an  increase  in  the  price  of  all  grades  of  oil  amounting 
to  25  cents,  effective  January  22,  and  the  prospect  of  additional  increases  during 
the  year  is  good." 

Outlook  for  1924. 

The  outlook  for  the  current  year  is  for  a  somewhat  lower  total 
quantity  than  in  1923.  At  the  same  time,  consumption  during  the 
first  six  months  showed  an  unexpected  decline,  due  to  a  number  of 
causes,  as  noted  by  Bush^ :  ' '  a  decreased  demand  for  fuel  by  the  largest 
consumers  (the  railroads)  ;  decreased  demand  for  gasoline  in  California 
during  the  spring  and  early  summer  months  resulting  from  the  hoof 
and  mouth  disease  epidemic;  decreased  demand  for  gasoline  east  of 

^Bush,  R.  D.,  Weekly  press  bulletin  No.   431  :  Dept.  of  Petr.  and  Gas  ;  Cal.   State. 
=^Bush,  R.  D.,  Features  of  production,  first  half  of  1924  ;   State  Min.   Bur.,  Mining 
Min.  Bur.,  Jan.  26,  1924. 


20 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


the  Rocky  Mountains  due  to  weather  conditions  and  to  continued 
over-production  of  oil  in  the  Mid-Continent  fields.  The  last  two  factors 
account  for  the  drop  in  the  amount  of  oil  exported  from  California 
to  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  ports  ' ' 

Production   Figures. 

The  following  table  gives  the  production  and  value  by  counties  for 
1923,  compared  with  the  1922  figures: 

TABLE  A. 
Production    and    Value   of   Oil,    by    Counties. 


1922 

1923 

County 

Barrels 

Value 

Barrels 

Value 

Fresno                 _  - 

9,265,526 

53,512,157 

37,726,367 

31,049,491 

33,856 

3,931,155 

2,933,685 

15,985 

$9,895,582 

64.803,222 

52,930,093 

36,483,162 

31,892 

3,974,398 

5,236,628 

26,288 

5,061,542 

45,952,794 

158,665,019 

46,474,921 

32,988 

3,061,947 

3,610,794 

15,685 

$3,593,695 

Kern 

37,629,300 

154,063.733 

40,897,930 

San  Luis  Obispo 

19,793 

Santa  Barbara                   .               _  _ 

2,394,433 

Ventura 

4,109.084 

San  Mateo  and  Santa  Clara* 

23,341 

Totals _ 

138,468,222 

$173,381,265 

262,875,690 

$242,731,309 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  San  Mateo  County. 

The  foregoing  totals  show  a  state  average  price  of  $0,923  per  barrel 
for  the  year  1923,  as  compared  to  $1,249  in  1922.  As  already  noted 
in  a  preceding  paragraph,  the  drop  in  value  was  due  to  an  overproduc- 
tion in  the  higher  grades  of  crude  oil  and  a  consequently  greater  pro- 
portional drop  in  prices  for  the  higher  grades. 

TABLE    B. 
Average  Price  of  Qil  per  Barrel,  by  Counties,  1915-1923. 


County 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1921 

1922 

1923 

Fresno 

$0,452 
.409 
.550 
.675 

$0,545 
.423 
.629 
.512 

$0,516 
.641 
.651 
.663 
.450 
.794 
.666 
1.045 

$0,825 

.893 

1.176 

1.003 

.926 

.808 

1.387 

1.318 

$1,191 
1.252 
1.340 
1.412 
.905 
1.235 
1.700 
1.480 

$1,293 
1.350 
1.380 
1.860 
1.040 
1.125 
1.600 
1.635 

$1,483 
1.714 
1.532 
2.138 
1.400 
1.575 
1.485 
2.507 

$1,068 
1.211 
1.403 
1.175 
0.942 
1.011 
1.616 
1.785 

$0  710 

Kern 

0  819 

Los  Angeles 

0  971 

Orange 

0  880 

San  Luis  Obispo 

0  600 

Santa  Barbara 

.460 

.530 

1.050 

.611 
.666 
.855 

0.782 

Santa  Clara 

1  404 

Ventura 

1.138 

State  average 

$0,461 

$0,479 

$0,636 

$0,908 

$1,278 

$1,409 

$1,726 

$1,249 

$0  923 

For  several  years  previous  to  1919,  the  state  average  value  per  barrel 
at  the  well  for  crude  oil  as  determined  by  the  statistical  returns  was 
noted  to  practically  coincide  with  the  quotations  during  the  same  years 
for  23°  gravity  oil  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  fields.  In  1919  and 
since,  the  average  values  have  worked  out  at  figures  corresponding  to 
quotations  up  to,  in  one  year  as  high  as  28°  oil,  due  to  the  large  yield 
of  high-gravity  oils  from  the  new  fields  in  the  Los  Angeles-Orange 
counties  area. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  21 

TOTAL  PETROLEUM  PRODUCTION  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

The  presence  of  oil  seepages  and  springs  in  Los  Angeles  and  Ventura 
counties  was  known  and  utilized  in  a  small  way  early  in  the  history  of 
California.  Some  also  was  shipped  to  refineries  at  San  Francisco 
from  Santa  Barbara  and  Humboldt  counties.  In  the  light  of  present- 
day  developments,  the  following  reference  to  the  previous  year's  pro- 
duction of  oil  and  its  future  prospects  as  expressed  by  the  San  Fran- 
cisco Bulletin  of  January  8,  1866,  is  strikingly  prophetic  even  though 
skeptical : 

"It  is  possible  that  tiie  small  quantity  received  (40,000  or  50,000  gallons  in  1865) 
may  be  the  forerunner  of  many  millions  which  will,  at  some  future  time,  lubricate 
the  wheels  of  commerce  and  set  a  trade  at  work  excelling  in  variety  any  that  has 
thus  far  been  known  on  this  coast.  At  present,  however,  we  admit  to  being  a  little 
skeptical  about  the  asumption  of  the  astute  Professor  Silliman  that  California  will 
be  found  to  have  more  oil  in  its  soil  than  all  the  whales  in  the  Pacific  Ocean." 

According  to  Hanks/  in  1874  production  amounted  to  36  bbl.  per 
day  from  natural  flows  in  Pico  Canon  (Newhall),  and  at  Sulphur 
Mountain  (Ventura  County),  the  oil  being  of  32°  gravity  average. 

-  "Work  was  commenced  in  Pico  Caiion  in  1875,  by  drilling  three  shallow  wells  with 
spring  pole,  all  of  which  yielded  oil  at  depths  of  from  90  to  250  feet.  Actual  work 
of  development  commenced  with  steam  machinery  in  1877." 

In  1877  Pico  averaged  40-50  bbl.  daily,  and  Ventura  80  bbl.  daily. 
Ill  1878,  there  was  some  production  (@  60  bbl.  per  day,  for  a  time) 
from  wells  in  Moody  Gulch,  near  Los  Gatos,  Santa  Clara  County,  the 
oil  being  of  46°  Baume. 

The  first  wells  in  the  Coalinga,  Fresno  County,  and  Summerland, 
Santa  Barbara  County,  fields  were  drilled  in  1890,  but  Coalinga  did 
not  make  its  influence  felt  conspicuously  on  the  state's  annual  output 
until  1903.  The  Summerland  yield  never  has  been  large.  The  Salt 
Lake  field  near  Los  Angeles  began  production  in  1894  and  in  1897 
reached  over  a  million  barrels  annually. 

In  the  Kern  Countv  fields,  the  first  well  was  drilled  in  Sunset  in 
1891,  Midway  in  1900,  McKittrick  in  1892,  Kern  River  in  1899.  The 
Sunset-Midway  district  attained  a  yield  of  over  4,000,000  bbl.  in  1909, 
and  over  20,000,000  bbl.  in  1910.  Kern  River  field  produced  over 
3,000,000  bbl.  in  1901. 

The  first  well  in  the  Santa  Maria-Lompoc  group,  Santa  Barbara 
County,  was  drilled  in  1901,  and  the  district  advanced  to  a  yield  of 
over  3,000,000  bbl.  annually  in  1905. 

The  Whittier-FuUerton  field  in  Los  Angeles  and  Orange  counties 
became  an  important  factor  in  1902.  The  Montebello  field,  Los 
Angeles  County,  was  the  conspicuous  addition  in  1918-1919 ;  and  Elk 
Hills,  Kern  County,  with  Huntington  Beach  and  Richfield,  Orange 
County,  in  1920.  In  1921,  the  new  fields  added  were  Long  Beach  and 
Santa  Fe  Springs,  Los  Angeles  County;  in  1922,  Torrance  field  in 
Los  Angeles  County,  and  Wheeler  Ridge  field  in  Kern  County ;  but  the 
production  from  the  large  number  of  new  wells  started  in  these  new 
Los  Angeles  County  fields  did  not  reach  its  peak  until  August  and 
September,  1923. 

The  effect  of  the  advent  of  these  various  fields  to  the  producing 
column  will  be  noted  in  the  tabulation  herewith,  by  years : 

^Hanks,  Henry  G.,  Report  IV  of  State  Mineralogist,  p.  298,  1884. 
'Idem,  p.  301. 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


TABLE   C. 
Total    Petroleum    Production    in    California. 


Year 

Barrels 

Value 

Year 

Barrels 

Value 

To  and  inc.  1875 

(a)  175,000 

12,000 

13,000 

15,227 

19,858 

40,552 

99,862 

128.636 

142,857 

262,000 

325.000 

(a)  377,145 

678,572 

690,333 

303,220 

307,360 

323,600 

385,049 

470,179 

783,078 

1,245,339 

1,257,780 

1,911.569 

2.249,088 

2,677,875 

(b)  $472,500 

30,000 

29.250 

30,454 

39,716 

60,828 

124,828 

257,272 

285,714 

655,000 

750,750 

(b)  870,205 

1,357.144 

1,380,666 

368,048 

384,200 

401,264 

561,333 

608,092 

1,064,521 

1,000,235 

1,180,793 

1.918,269 

2,376,420 

2,660.793 

1900 

4.329,950 

7,710,315 

14,356,910 

24,340,839 

29,736,003 

34,275,701 

32,624,000 

40  311,171 

48,306,910 

58,191,723 

77,697,568 

84,648,157 

89,689,250 

98,494,532 

102,881,907 

91,146,620 

90,262,557 

95,396,309 

99,731,177 

101,182,962 

103,377,361 

112,599,860 

138,468,222 

262,875,690 

$4,152,928 

1876 

1901 

2,961,102 

1877 

1902 

4,692,189 
7,313.271 

1878  -- 

1903 

1879    

1904 

8,317,809 

1880 

1905  _-   -  - 

9,007,820 

1881 -- 

1906 

1907 

1908_.  

9,238,020 

1882  

16,783,943 

1883 

26,566,181 

1884... 

1909 —  . 

1910. 

32,398,187 

1885 - 

37,689,542 

1886  -  

1911 

1912 

1913 

40,552,088 

1887- -- 

41,868,344 

1888 - 

48,578.014 

1889  

1914 

1915     - 

47,487,109 

1890       -  - 

43,503,837 

1891 -- 

1916. 

1917 

1918  

57,421,334 

1892 

86,976,209 

1893  

127,459,221 

1894 .- 

1919 

142,610,563 

1895 

1920 

178,394,937 

1896 

1921  .  

203,138,225 

1897 

1922 

173,381,265 

1898 

1923 

242,731,309 

1899 

Totals 

1,857,529.873 

$1,612,091,748 

«  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.  of  U.  S.,  1886,  p.  440,  for  quantities  to  and  including  1886. 

••Values  have  been  estimated  for  the  years  to  and  including  1886,  after  consulting 
a  number  of  contemporaneous  publications,  including  the  Mining  &  Scientific  Press, 
Reports  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  and  U.  S.  Reports.  The  figures  for  1887  to  date 
are  from  records  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


23 


Weil   Data. 

The  following  table  is  compiled  from  the  monthly  statements  con- 
tained in  the  Standard  Oil  Bulletin : 


TABLE  D. 
Well  Operations,  by  Fields,  1923. 


Kern  River - 

McKittrick 

Midway-Sunset. 

Elk  Hills.- 

Lost  Hills-Belridge 

Coalinga 

Wheeler  Ridge* 

Watsonville 

Santa  Maria-Lompoc.- 

Summerland - 

Ventura-Newhall 

Los  Angeles-Salt  Lake. 

Whittier* 

Fullerton* 

Coyote. 

Santa  Fe  Springs 

Montebello 

Richfield. - 

Huntington  Beach 

Long  Beach 

Torrance  (Redondo) . , 
Compton* 


Totals. 


Producing 
Dec.,  1922 


,159 
283 
,156 
88 
417 
679 


Producing 
Dec.,  1923 


322 
135 
557 
669 

55l{ 

234 
70 
116 
169 
153 
137 
13 


8,916 


♦Segregated  records  beginning  August,  1923. 
aState  average. 


2,143 

284 
2,322 
86 
243 
733 
7 
6 
293 
135 
544 
634 
179 
386 
107 
307 
116 
177 
265 


Completed 
during 
year 


1 

1 

140 

21 

1 
3 
7 


Daily 
initial 
output 


5 

25 

34,290 

13,907 

10 

130 

1,225 


110 


Abandoned 

during 

year 


19 

'4,347" 

22 
6 

1,515 

2,649 

720 

3 

281 

684.741 

49 

755 

6 

10 

2,653 

7 

120 

98,313 

27 

250 

455,978 

72 

102 

1 

73,656 
1,250 

1 

1,376,279 


Bbl.  per  well 

produced 

per  day 

Dec.,  1923 


258 


7.4 

20.3 

33  3 

237.5 

14.5 

23.0 

96.3 

9.5 

26.2 

1.1 

16.7 

5.0 

10.8 

29.3 

22.7 

581.4 

91.4 

81.0 

252.7 

690.5 

317.2 

1,282.0 


a75.2 


24 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Specific   Gravities  of  Oils   Produced. 

The  proportion  of  heavy  and  light  oil  produced  in  the  various  fields 
is  shown  in  Table  E,  following,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  the 
Standard  Oil  Company.  Under  present  practice,  oil  below  18°  Baume 
may  be  considered  as  largely  refinable  for  fuel  oil  and  lubricants,  while 
the  lighter  oils  yield  varying  amounts  of  the  higher  refined  products 
with  corresponding  proportions  of  residiium  and  fuel  oil.  Specific 
gravities  in  California  range  from  8°  Baume  in  the  Casmalia  field, 
Santa  Barbara  County,  to  56°  Baume  in  Ventura  County. 

California  crude  oils  are  all  essentially  of  asphalt  base,  with  a  few 
notable  exceptions.  In  the  following  localities  are  wells  yielding  crudes 
containing  both  asphalt  and  paraffine  constituents :  Oil  City  field,  Coal- 
inga ;  a  few  deep  wells  in  East  Side  field,  Coalinga ;  a  considerable  part 
of  the  Ventura  County  fields;  Western  Minerals  area,  south  of  Mari- 
copa ;  Wheeler  Ridge,  Kern  County. 


TABLE    E. 
Production  of  Light  and   Heavy  Oil,  by  Fields,  1923. 


Under  IS** 
(barrels) 


18"  and  over 
(barrels) 


Total 
(barrels) 


Kern  River 

McKittrick 

Midway-Sunset 

Lost  Hills  and  Belridge. 

Wheeler  Ridge 

Coalinga 

Santa  Maria-Lompoc__ 

Ventura-Newhall 

Los  Angeles-Salt  Lake.. 

Whittier-Fullerton 

Santa  Fe  Springs 

Huntington  Beach 

Signal  Hill-Long  Beach. 

Torrance-Redondo 

Summerland 

Watsonville 

Dominguez 


734,652 
221,903 
619,212 
482,267 


,598,008 
781,971 
61,292 
093,351 
668,877 


449,653 
78,886 

377,282 
51,110 
23,725 


Totals. 


27,242,189 


26,164,297 

1,341,659 

128,588 

1,536,864 

1,189,361 

3,641,704 

128,755 

16,825,425 

80,266,082 

34,469,316 

68,838,681 

2,783,335 


155,532 


237,469,599 


6,734,652 

2,221,903 

35,783,509 

1,823,926 

128,588 

5,134,872 

2,971,332 

3,702,996 

1,222,106 

17,494,302 

80,266,082 

34,918,969 

68,917,567 

3,160,617 

51,110 

23,725 

155,532 


264.711,788 


As  previously  noted  by  the  writer/  a  decided  change  has  taken  place 
in  the  relative  proportions  of  light  and  heavy  crudes  produced  in  Cali- 
fornia since  1910,  taking  18°  Baume  as  the  dividing  line.  This  subject 
was  also  covered  in  detail  and  with  charts,  by  Collom  and  Barnes  ^ 
recently. 

^Bradley,  W.  W.,  Mineral  production  of  California  in  1921:  Cal.  State  Mln.  Bur., 
Report  XVIII,   p.   442,   Sept.    1922. 

2  Collom,  R.  E.,  and  Barnes,  R.  M.,  California  oil  production  and  reserves:  Cal. 
State  Min.  Bur.,  Ninth  Ann.  Rep.  of  State  Oil  and  Gas  Supervisor,  Aug.  1923,  pp.  5-23. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


25 


A  marked  drop  took  place  in  the  low-gravity  yield  from  1910  to  and 
including  1914.  From  1914,  it  has  remained  almost  stationary,  with  a 
slight  drop  in  1921,  while  the  high-gravity  yield  has  increased  at  a 
rapid  rate  since  1915.  The  proportions  have  been  reversed  from 
approximately  75%  low— 25%  high  in  1914  to  25%  low— 75%  high  in 
1921,  and  10%  low— 90%,  high  in  1923. 

This  has  been  an  important  factor  in  its  effect  upon  the  average 
price  per  barrel  of  the  state's  output  in  these  years,  as  well  as  its  effect 
upon  the  relative  situation  between  production  and  consumption.  It 
has  been  a  fortunate  development,  in  view  of  the  increased  demand  for 
refinery  products  (gasoline,  in  particular),  and  the  lessened  demand 
fof  fuel  oil  owing  in  part  to  the  shutting  down  of  the  western  copper 
smelters  which  were  large  consumers  of  California  fuel  oil. 

;    Oil  in  'Storage.' 

Field,  refinery,  pipe-line  and  tank-farm  stocks  of  crude,  residuum  and 
r  tops  totaled  91,925,153  barrels^  on  December  31,  1923,  compared  with 
r  61,384,164  barrels  on  December  31,  192*2,  distributed  as  follows: 


Dec.  31.  1923 

Dec.  31,  1922 

HeaA^  crude,  heavier  than  20"  A.  P.  I.,  including  residuum 

43,614,271 
35,559,054 
12,751,828 

40,857,761 

Refined  crude,  20°  API  and  lighter  -. 

17,613,591 

Tops _. _ 

2,912,812 

Totals 

91,925,153 
29,763.653 
62,161,500 

61,384,164 

11,809,691 

Total  quantity  of  above  products  held  in  fields,  pipe-lines,  and  tank- 
farms 

49,574,473 

Total  stocks  as  above 

91,925,153 

61,384,164 

Operating   Data. 

The  following  tabulation  (Tabic  F)  is  compiled  from  data  published 
by  the  Department  of  Petroleum  and  Gas,^  semiannually,  and  here  com- 
bined to  show  the  entire  year's  operations  for  all  fields.  The  'districts' 
are  the  geographical  subdivisions  as  administered  by  the  Department, 
and  which  are  outlined  on  the  accompanying  map. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  state  average  yield  of  oil  per  well  per  day 
wias  81.1  barrels  for  the  first  six  months  of  1923  and  101.3  barrels  for 
the  second.  This  is  somewhat  higher  than  the  figure  of  75.2  barrels 
average  for  December  derived  from  Standard  Oil  Company  data  as 
shown  in  Table  D,  on  a  preceding  page,  due  in  part  at  least,  to  the  fact 
that  the  latter  is  on  a  full-time  basis,  whereas  the  Bureau  figures  allow 
for  shut-down  time. 

^  standard  Oil  Bulletin,  February   1924,   p.    11. 

-  Summary  of  operations,  California  Oil  Fields :  Cal.  State  Min,  Bur.,  Ninth  Ann. 
Rep.  of  State  Oil  and  Gas  Supervisor,  Aug.  1923,  pp.  26-27;  Feb.   1924,  pp.  6-7. 


26 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


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STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


27 


■  «o  eo  ci  •*  o  »  «o 


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28 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


CALIFORNIA  STAPE  MINING  BUREAU 
LLOYD  L   ROOT 

STATE  MINERALOGIST 


S    K     I     Y    0    U 


i    M    0    0    0     C     j 

«LTVII*S  I 


OUTLINE  MAP 

OF 


r^  r 'f 

/       " "i* 

,CA»c«yua/5  „   ^  S  T  A 
'TRINITY  S 

I      U^' — '     ''s  I    ■-*  ^"'•. 


!    L   A  S  S  E  N  j 

5" 


CALIFORNIA 

SHOWIN© 

APPROXIMATE  LOCATION  of  OIL  FIELDS 

Compiled  by  RE  Collom.  State  Oil  &  ©as  Supervisor 


S   •     ~ )        J-P  L  U   M  A  5    L 

I V  ......  \      r\ lJ 

._1_.6  L  E  N  N  ^B  UTTET-;,xs  I®E  R  R  A   | 


1  MOODY  GULCH 

2  SAR&tNT 

3  COALINGA 

4  DEVIL'S  DEN 

5  LOST  HILLS 
e  BELRI06E 
7n«KITTRICK-TEHBL0R 

8  MIDWAY- SUNSET 

9  ELK  HILLS 

10  KERN  RIVER 

1 1  ARROYO  GRANDE 

12  CASMALIA 

13  SANTA  MARIA 

14  CAT  CANYON 
I5L0MP0C 

16  SUMMERLAND 

17  VENTURA 

18  SANTA  PAULA 

19  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN 


DORADO    .^„S 


20  OJAI 

21  SESPE 

22  PIRU 

23  BARDSOALE 

a*  siMi 

2S  CONEJO 
2«  NCWHALL 

27  BEVERLY  HILLS 

28  SALT  LAKE 

29  LOS  ANGELES 

30  MONTEBELLO 

31  WHITTIER 

32  SANTA  Ft  SPRINGS 

33  COYOTE  HILLS 

34  RICHFIELD 

35  BREA-OLINDA 

3S  HUNTINGTON  BEACH 

37  LONG  BEACH 

38  TORRANCE 

39  WHEELER  RIDGE 


-^maoo'r,  -  j*'-''"' 


W^'^^^'^"' 


-\m1)  N  0 


on  District  Boundanes 


ill\^      /TUOLUMNE  .    <^_.:\ 


MEXICO 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


29 


Financial   and   Operating   Conditions  of   California   Oil    Fields,   1923. 

Financial  results  of  the  oil  business  during  1923  are  shown  by  the 
following  tables.  The  features  worthy  of  mention  are  :  ( 1 )  The  lower 
price  received  for  the  year  as  shown  by  the  state  average  of  all  grades. 
(2)  Decreases  in  the  dividends  paid  by  companies  operating  in  Fresno, 
Kern,  Santa  Barbara,  and  Ventura  counties,  but  a  10%  increase  in  the 
state  total  of  dividends  for  the  year.  (3)  Decreases  in  the  number  of 
barrels  per  well  per  day  yield  (see  Table  I)  in  most  of  the  older  fields. 
(4)  Somewhat  low^er  operating  costs  per  barrel  in  most  of  the  fields. 

With  reference  to  Table  I,  it  should  be  noted  that  although  it  lacks 
data  from  the  larger  operators  who  have  refineries  and  with  interests 
in  more  than  one  field,  yet  the  data  given  are  of  economic  value  and 
interest  in  that  they  indicate  the  conditions  prevailing  among  the 
smaller  companies  and  operators. 

Operating  cost  per  well  is  not  always  lower  for  the  dividend  compa- 
nies than  others.  Profitable  operations  seem  to  depend  generally  upon 
large  wells,  high-grade  oil,  and  proximity  to  market.  Price  and  profits 
have  usually  been  greater  in  the  Los  Angeles-Orange- Ventura  fields 
than  in  others,  doubtless  largely  due  to  the  proximity  to  market  and 
higher  grades  of  oil.  Crude  oil  testing  as  high  as  56°  Baume  is 
obtained  from  some  of  the  Ventura  wells. 

TABLE  G.    CAPITALIZATION. 


Field 


Number  of 
companies 
considered* 


Per  cent 
of  total 
product 
of  field 


Capital 


Cash 


Property 


Fresno  County— Coalmga 

Kern  County: 

Kern  River 

Midway 

Sunsel^Maricopa 

McKittrick,  Lost  Hills,  Belridge,  Devils  Den,  Elk  Hills. 

Los  Angeles  County 

Orange  County*. ^. 

Santa  Barbara  County 

Ventura  County 

Subtotals 

Miscellaneous  and  marketing  companies' 

Totals.. 


39 
61 
27 
36 
101 
44 
14 
32 


403 


472 


47 


$3,447,434 

1.988,835 
16,871,510 
2,764,700 
2,353,694 
17,089,158 
7,969,694 
5,212,072 
459,827 


$58,156,924 
352,118,690 


$410,275,614 


21,462,476 

4,386,843 
5,983,243 
1,135,492 
3,158,651 

30,031,579 
7,989,151 

25,962,386 
8,028,301 


$108,138,122 
159,960,878 


$268,099,000 


*See  Table  I,  following. 

'Includes  companies  having  refineries,  and  those  operating  in  several  fields  whose  data  could  not  be  segregated  as  to 
counties  or  fields. 


r»o 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


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STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


31 


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32  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Proved  Oil   Land. 

The  total  proved  oil  land  of  the  state  increased  to  116,868  acres  in 
1923,  from  the  112,761  acres  of  .1922.  Kern  County  increased  3395 
acres,  and  Los  Angeles,  1089  acres.  Of  this  1923  total,  19,932  acres, 
being  owned  by  federal,  state  and  city  governments,  or  for  other 
reasons,  are  not  assessable  for  the  support  of  the  Department  of  Petro- 
leum and  Gas  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau.  The  acreage  in  1923  was 
distributed  by  counties  as  follows : 


TABLE  J. 
Proved   Oil    Land,   and    Number  of   Wells,   1923. 


County 

Tiand  (acres) 

Number  wells 

14,600 

72,371 

8,558 

7,242 

772 

'"9",303 

80 

3,942 

883 

Kern_._ 

5,817 

Los  Angeles __         _       __ 

1,780 

Orange 

915 

San  Luis  Obispo , 

18 

4 

Santa  Barbara __ 

387 

Santa  Clara  ... 

12 

Ventura 

516 

Totals.. 

116.868 

10,332 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


33 


CHAPTER   THREE. 


METALS. 


The  total  value  of  metals  produced  in  California  during  1923  was 
$21,619,969.  The  chief  of  these  is,  and  always  has  been,  gold,  followed 
in  order  in  1923  by  copper,  silver,  lead,  quicksilver,  platinum,  tungsten, 
iron  ore  and  manganese  ore.  There  wavS  no  production  of  antimony, 
cadium,  molybdenum,  nor  tin,  which  have  in  the  past  been  on  the  active 
list.  Deposits  of  ores  of  nickel  and  vanadium  have  also  been  found  in 
the  state ;  although  there  has  as  yet  been  no  commercial  output  of  them. 
The  above-noted  total  for  this  group  is  a  net  decrease  of  $80,764  from 
the  1922  total  of  $21,700,733,  due  mainly  to  decreases  registered  by  gold, 
silver,  and  zinc,  in  spite  of  increases  by  copper  and  lead. 

California  leads  all  states  in  the  Union  in  her  gold  production  and  is 
credited  with  approximately  30%  of  the  nation's  yield  in  1923.  The 
precious  metal  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the  state.  Thirty- 
two  of  the  fifty-eight  counties  reported  an  output  in  1923  from  either 
mines  or  dredges. 

Copper,  which  is  second  in  importance  among  the  metals  of  the 
state,  occurs  in  the  following  general  districts :  the  Shasta  County  belt, 
which  has  been  by  far  the  most  important;  the  Coast  Range  deposits 
extending  more  or  less  continuously  from  Del  Norte  in  the  north  to  Sar 
Luis  Obispo  County  in  the  south;  the  Sierra  Nevada  belt,  starting  ir 
Plumas  and  running  in  a  general  southerly  and  southeasterly  direction 
through  the  Mother  Lode  counties  and  ending  in  Kern;  the  easterr 
belt  in  Mono  and  Inyo  counties;  and  the  southern  belt,  in  Sat 
Bernardino,  Riverside  and  San  Diego  counties. 

Silver  is  not  generally  found  alone  in  the  state,  except  notably  ir  the 
Rand  district,  San  Bernardino  County ;  but  is  associated  to  ^  greater 
or  less  extent  with  gold,  copper,  lead  and  zinc. 

Quicksilver  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  the  state 's  staple  products 
and  California  has  supplied  approximately  75%  of  the  nation's  output 
of  this  metal. 

Tungsten  is  found  in  but  few  other  localities  of  importance  in  the 
Tnited  States. 

Large  deposits  of  iron  ore  have  long  been  known  in  several  sections  of 
the  state,  but  for  various  economic  reasons  this  branch  of  the  mineral 
industry  thus  far  has  made  only  slight  progress  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

A  comparison  of  the  1923  metal  output  with  that  of  the  1922  is 
afforded  by  the  following  table : 


Substance 

1922 

1923 

Increase+ 

Amount 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Decrease - 
Value 

Copper 

22,883,987  lbs. 

$3,090,582 

14,670,346 

18.868 

358,120 

7,650 

90,288 

191,851 

3,100,065 

28,346,860  lbs. 

$4,166,989 

13,379,013 

18,665 

695,416 

10,620 

78,546 

332,851 

2,918,743 

19,126 

$1,076,4074- 
1,291,333- 
203 

Gold.. 

Iron  ore 

3,588  tons 
6,511,280  lbs. 
540  tons 
795  fine  oz. 
3,466  flasks 
3,100,065  fine  oz. 

3,102  tons 
9,934,522  lbs. 
690  tons 
602  fine  oz. 
5,458  flasks 
3,559,443  fine  oz. 
34  tons 

Lead 

337,296+ 
2.970+ 

11,742- 
141,000+ 
181,322- 

19,126+ 
172,963- 

Manganese  ore 

Platinum 

Quicksilver 

Silver 1. 

Tungsten  concentrates 

Zinc 

3,034,430  lbs. 

172,963 

Total  values 

$21,700,733 

$21,619,969 

Net  decrease 

$80,764- 

3—35173 


;J4  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

ALUMINUM. 

Bibliography :  Report  XVIII,  p.  198.    Bulletins  38,  67.    U.  S.  Geol. 
Surv.,  Min.  Res.  of  U.  S. 

To  date  there  has  been  no  commercial  production  of  aluminum  ore  in 
California.  Only  a  single  authenticated  occurrence  of  bauxite  has  thus 
far  been  noted  in  this  state,  being  in  Riverside  County,  southeast  of 
Corona,  but  as  yet  undeveloped. 

Minerals  containing  aluminum  are  abundant,  the  most  widely  dis- 
tributed being  the  clays.  There  are  only  two,  however,  thus  far  of 
consequence,  commercially,  in  the  production  of  the  metal:  bauxite  (to 
which  may  be  added  the  related,  hydrated  oxides,  hydrargillite  and 
diaspore),  and  cryolite.  Cryolite  is  found  in  commercial  quantities 
only  in  South  Greenland,  and  was  formerly  the  only  ore  of  aluminum 
used,  being  still  employed  as  a  flux  in  the  extraction  of  the  metal. 
Bauxite  has  been,  for  some  years,  the  most  important  source  of  alumi- 
num and  its  salts.  Its  color  varies  from  gray  to  red,  according  to  the 
amount  of  iron  present,  the  composition  ranging  usually  between  the 
following  limits:  AUOg,  30%-60%  ;  Fe,0„  3%^25%  ;  SiO^,  0.5%-20%  ; 
TiOg,  0.0%-10%.  Besides  its  reduction  to  the  metal,  bauxite  is  also 
utilized  in  the  manufacture  of :  aluminum  salts,  refractory  bricks,  alun- 
dum  (fused  alumina)  for  use  as  an  abrasive;  and  in  the  refining  of 
oil  (stated  to  be  of  growing  importance).  The  most  important  pro- 
ducing countries,  both  of  bauxite  and  the  metal,  are  the  United  States 
and  France,  the  former  yielding  more  than  60  per  cent  of  the  world's 
output.    In  1913  France  led. 

ANTIMONY. 

Bibliography :   State  Mineralogist  Reports  VIII,  X,   XII,  XIII, 
XIV,  XV,  XVII.     Bulletin  38. 

Production  of  antimt)ny  in  California  has  been  irregular,  and  small 
in  amount  except  during  the  year  1*916  when  the  high  war-time  prices 
permitted  American  producers,  for  a  short  period,  to  compete  with 
Chinese  antimony.  The  principal  commercial  production  of  antimony 
in  California  has  come  from  Kern,  Inyo,  and  San  Benito  counties,  and 
other  occurrences  have  been  noted  in  Nevada,  Riverside,  and  Santa 
Clara  counties.  The  commonest  occurrence  is  in  the  form  of  the  sul- 
phide, stibnite;  but  in  the  Kernville,  and  Havilah  districts  in  Kern 
County  there  were  notable  deposits  of  the  native  metal,  l)eing  among 
the  few  localities  of  the  world  where  native  antimony  has  been  found. 

California  producers  claim  that  they  can  not  operate  profitably  unless 
the  price  of  antimony  be  above  12  cents  per  pound.  Present  New 
York  quotations  are  around  9  to  11  cents  per  pound. 

Pure  antimony  metal,  and  manufactured  antimony  compounds  are  of 
considerable  importance  as  pigments  in  the  ceramic  industry.  The 
most  important  use  of  the  metal,  commercially,  is  in  various  alloys, 
particularly  type-metal  (with  tin  and  lead),  babbitt  (with  tin  and 
copper),  and  britannia  metal  (with  tin  and  copper). 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


35 


Antimony  Production  of  California^  by  Years. 

The  production  of  antimony  in  California  by  years  since  1887  has 
been  as  follows: 


Tear 

Ton* 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1887 

75 
100 

$15,500 
20,000 

1900 

70 
50 

$5,700 

1888  _ _ 

1901 

8,350 

1889 

1902 

1893 _ 

50 
150 
33 
17 
20 
40 
75 

2.250 
6,000 
1.485 
2.320 
3.500 
1,200 
13,500 

1915                 _  -      __-.— 

510 

1,015 

158 

35,666 

1894 

1916             

64,793 

1895  _  _,_ 

1917 

18,786 

1896 

1918                         

1897 

Totals  -         -    

1898 _._ 

2.363 

$199,050 

1899 

ARSENIC. 

BiUiography :  Report  XVIII.    Bulletin  67.    U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res. 

of  U.  S. 

Arsenic  is  found  in  a  number  of  localities  in  California  in  the  min- 
eral arsenopyrite  (FeAsS),  which  is  frequently  gold  bearing;  and  in 
scorodite  (FeAsO^+^HoO),  an  oxidation  product  of  arsenopyrite.  The 
occurrence  of  realgar  (AsS)  has  also  been  noted.  The  principal  source 
of  the  arsenic  of  commerce  in  the  United  States  has  been  as  a  by-product 
from  the  metallurgical  treatment  of  copper,  gold,  and  lead  ores.  It  is 
usually  recovered  in  the  form  of  the  tri-oxide,  or  'white  arsenic,'  for 
which  there  is  a  demand  for  the  preparation  of  insecticides,  for  use  in 
agriculture  and  horticulture,  and  especially  against  the  cotton-boll 
weevil  in  the  southern  states. 

Up  to  the  beginning  of  1924,  there  had  been  no  commercial  recovery 
of  arsenic  from  California  ores.  Early  in  the  present  year,  the  plant  of 
the  Chipman  Chemical  Company  at  Bay  Point  began  the  preparation  of 
arsenic  compounds  from  Californian  and  Nevadan  ores,  by  a  chemical 
process. 

BERYLLIUM. 

Bibliography:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Yol.  118,  No.  8,  p.  285, 
Aug.  23,  1924. 

Beryllium  is  a  metal  resembling  aluminum  closely  in  its  chemical 
character,  and  has  a  specific  gravity  of  2.7.  Several  alloys  have  been 
prepared  experimentally,  of  which  copper-beryllium  has  received  the 
most  attention.  The  addition  of  5%  beryllium  produces  a  golden-yellow 
alloy. 

The  compounds  of  beryllium  at  present  used  commercially  are  the 
nitrate  and  oxide.  The  nitrate  is  used  by  incandescent  mantle  manu- 
facturers to  harden  the  thorium  oxide  ^eleton,  the  amount  varying 
from  2  gm.  to  5  gm.  per  kilogram  of  thorium  nitrate.  The  oxide  has 
been  added  to  materials  being  used  for  the  manufacture  of  abrasive 
comj)ounds  and  in  dental  cements,  and  has  also  been  recommended  as  a 


36  MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

condensing  agent  in  the  preparation  of  certain  esters.  It  is  stated  that 
this  latter  property  may  prove  of  value  to  manufacturers  of  synthetic 
perfumes  and  essences.  Beryllium  sulphate  has  been  used  to  some  extent 
in  medical  research. 

There  are  a  number  of  beryllium  minerals,  but  none  have  been  found 
in  commercial  quantities,  except  beryl,  which  is  a  beryllium-aluminum 
silicate  carrying,  when  pure,  57%  silica,  19%  alumina,  and  14%  beryl- 
lium oxide.  Beryl  suitable  for  commercial  purposes  should  carry  from 
10%  to  12%  beryllium  oxide.  The  ore  before  use  is  ground  to  pass 
90%-95%  through  a  2(X)-m.esh  screen.  It  should  be  white  in  color,  free 
from  iron-bearing  minerals  and  metallic  iron.  The  price  varies  from  4ff 
to  5^  per  pound  in  carload  lots,  according  to  demand  and  percentage  of 
beryllium  oxide.  The  chief  use  at  present  for  ground  beryl  is  as  an 
addition  to  porcelain  products,  where  it  reduces  the  coefficient  of  expan- 
sion. Beryllium  metal  is  difficult  to  separate  from  aluminum.  For  this 
reason,  the  mineral  phenacite  (6.628104)  would  be  a  more  desirable 
source  for  the  metal,  and  it  carries  approximately  45%  beryllium  oxide. 

Beryl  occurs  in  California,  in  the  pegmatite  dikes  of  the  tourmaline 
gem  district  in  northern  San  Diego  and  southwestern  Riverside  counties. 
Thus  far  there  have  been  no  commercial  shipments  of  beryl  except  for 
gem  purposes  (the  pink  and  aquamarine  varieties). 

BISMUTH. 

Bibliography :  Bulletins  38,  67.    Am.  Jour.  Sci.  1903,  Vol.  16. 

Several  bismuth  minerals  have  been  found  in  California,  notably 
native  bismuth  and  bismite  (the  ochre)  in  the  tourmaline  gem  district 
in  San  Diego  and  Eiverside  counties  near  Pala.  Other  occurrences  of 
bismuth  minerals,  including  the  sulphide,  bismuthinite,  have  been  noted 
in  Inyo,  Fresno,  Nevada,  Tuolumne,  and  Mono  counties,  but  only  in 
small  quantities.  The  only  commercial  production  recorded  was  20 
tons  valued  at  $2,400,  in  1904,  and  credited  to  Eiverside  County. 

In  1917,  a  few  pounds  of  bismuthinite  (BigS^)  with  associated  bis- 
mutite  (BisCOg.HgO),  was  taken  out  at  the  United  Tungsten  Copper 
Mine,  in  the  Morongo  district,  San  Bernardino  County.  It  is  associated 
with  scheelite  in  a  contact  deposit  between  limestone  and  granite. 

Recovery  of  bismuth  from  blister  copper  in  the  electrolytic  refinery 
has  been  noted,^  ranging  as  high  as  27.3  pounds  of  metallic  bismuth 
per  100  tons  of  blister  copper  from  the  Iron  Mountain,  Shasta  County, 
ores.  In  the  United  States,  the  principal  recovery  of  bismuth  is 
obtained  as  a  by-product  from  the  refining  of  lead  bullion. 

The  uses  of  bismuth  are  somewhat  restricted,  being  employed  princi- 
pally in  the  preparation  of  medicinal  salts,  and  in  low  melting-point 
or  cliche  alloys.  These  alloys  are  utilized  in  automatic  fire  sprinkler 
systems,  in  electrical  fuses,  and  in  solders. 

Present  quotations  for  bismuth  are  around  $2.50  per  pound  for  the 
refined  metal. 

CADMIUM. 

Bibliography :  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.  of  U.  S.,  1908,  1918. 

During  1917  and  1918,  cadmium  metal  was  recovered  by  the  elec- 
trolytic zinc  plant  of  the  Mammoth  Copper  Company  in  Shasta  County. 

^  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  Vol.   47,  pp.   217-218. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  37 

It  was  shipped  in  the  form  of  'sticks'  and  amounted  to  a  total  of 
several  thousand  pounds  for  the  two  years,  the  exact  figures  being 
concealed  under  'Unapportioned. '  That  was  the  first,  and  thus  far 
the  only,  commercial  production  of  cadmium  recorded  from  Cali- 
fornia ore.  Cadmium  there  occurs  associated  with  zinc  sulphide, 
sphalerite,  probably  as  the  sulphide,  greenockite.  Cadmium  also  occurs 
in  the  Cerro  Gordo  Mine,  Inyo  County,  associated  with  smithsonite 
(zinc  carbonate). 

There  are  several  cadmium  minerals,  but  none  of  them  occur  in 
•sufiScient  quantities  individually  to  be  profitable  as  distinct  ores.  The 
cadmium  of  commerce  is  derived  as  a  by-product  in  the  reduction  of 
zinc  minerals  and  ores,  in  nearly  all  of  which  it  occurs  in  at  least  minute 
proportions,  the  average  ratio  being  about  1  of  cadmium  to  200  of  zinc. 
As  cadmium  behaves  metallurgically  much  the  same  as  zinc,  it  con- 
stitutes a  fraction  of  1  per  cent  of  nearly  all  metallic  zinc. 

Cadmium  is  produced  in  United  States  in  two  forms — metallic 
cadmium  and  the  pigment,  cadmium  sulphide.  The  principal  use  of 
the  metal  is  in  low-melting  point,  or  cliche  alloys,  and  its  salts  are 
utilized  in  the  arts,  medicine,  and  in  electroplating.  The  sulphide  is 
employed  as  a  paint  pigment,  being  a  strong  yellow,  which  is  unaffected 
by  hydrogen  sulphide  gas  from  coal  smoke.  It  is  also  employed  in 
coloring  glass  and  porcelain.  Cadmium  cliche  metal  is  stated  to  be 
superior  to  the  corresponding  bismuth  alloy,  for  making  stereotype 
plates.  Cadmium  is  also  used  in  bronze  telegraph  and  telephone  wires, 
and  gives  some  promise  of  being  utilized  in  electroplating. 

Present  quotations  for  cadmium  are  60^  per  pound  for  the  refined 
^     metal,  or  approximately  one-half  the  price  of  a  year  ago. 

COBALT. 

Bibliography :  Report  XIV.     Bulletin  67.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res. 
of  U.  S.,  1912,  1918. 

Occurrences  o£  some  of  the  cobalt  minerals  have  been  noted  in 
several  localities  in  California,  but  to  date  no  commercial  production 
has  resulted.  Some  of  the  copper  ores  of  the  foothill  copper  belt  in 
Mariposa  and  Madera  counties  have  been  found  to  contain  cobalt  up 
to  3%.  The  most  recent,  and  notable,  occurrence  thus  far  found  in 
this  state  is  in  the  Mar-John  Mine  near  Sheep  Ranch,  Calaveras  County. 
Lenses  of  smaltite  (CoAso)  have  been  uncovered  in  the  vein,  there,  and 
several  tons  taken  out  in  the  course  of  development  work.  It  is  hoped 
that  further  development  work  may  yield  commercial  quantities  of  this 
valuable  mineral. 

The  most  important  use  of  cobalt  is  in  the  manufacture  of  the  alloy, 
stellite,  in  which  it  is  combined  with  chromium,  for  making  high-speed 
lathe  tools,  and  non-tarnishing  cutlery  and  surgeons'  appliances.  The 
metal  is  also  used  in  electroplating,  simalarly  to  nickel ;  and  the  oxide, 
carbonate,  chloride,  sulphate  and  other  salts  are  used  in  ceramics  for 
coloring.  Some  of  the  organic  salts  of  cobalt  (acetate,  resinate,  oleate) 
are  employed  as  'driers'  in  paint  and  varnish. 

Present  quotations  for  cobalt  are  $2.50-$3.00  per  pound  for  the 
refined  metal. 


88  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

COPPER. 

Bibliography:    State    Mineralogist    Reports    VIII-XVIII    (inc.)- 
Bulletins  23,  50,  91. 

Copper  is  second  only  to  gold,  among  the  metals  produced  in  Cali- 
fornia. For  many  years  Shasta  was  the.  leading  county  in  the  output 
of  the  red  metal,  but  in  1919  Plumas  advanced  to  first  place,  which  it 
has  since  retained.  This  was  due  to  the  maintenance  of  output  level  by 
the  Engels  property  and  in  1922-1923  by  the  Walker  Mine,  also  in 
Plumas  County,  and  to  the  shutting  down  of  the  Mammoth,  Mountain 
and  Afterthought  groups  in  Shasta  County.  Both  the  Engels  and 
"Wlalker  ores  are  treated  by  flotation  and  the  concentrate  shipped  to 
Utah  plants  for  smelting.  The  fact  that  the  Engels  ore  carries  appre- 
ciable values  in  gold  and  silver  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the 
company's  maintenance  of  operations  during  this  period  when  practi- 
cally all  other  copper  mines  in  the  state  were  closed.  In  1923,  produc- 
tion was  resumed  by  the  Calaveras  Copper  Company^  Calaveras  County, 
and  by  the  Mammoth  and  Mountain  Copper  properties  in  Shasta 
County.  A  small  yield  of  copper  in  1923  was  also  reported  from  Del 
Norte,  Inyo,  San  Bernardino,  and  Trinity  counties. 

Although  the  copper  property  of  the  Mountain  Copper  Company  was 
nonproductive  in  1921-1922,  and  most  of  1923,  a  part  of  this  metal 
credited  to  Shasta  County  the  past  three  years  was  obtained  as  a  by-pro- 
duct from  pyrites  which  has  been  sold  and  utilized  in  the  manufacture 
of  sulphuric  acid,  after  which  the  copper-bearing  cinder  was  smelted  at 
other  plants. 

The  state's  total  for  1923  amounted  to  28,346,860  pounds  valued  at 
$4,166,989,  being  an  increase  over  the  22,883,987  pounds  and  $3,090,582, 
figures  of  1922.  The  average  price  in  1923  was  14.7^  per  pound,  com- 
pared with  13.5^  in  1922,  18.4^  in  1920,  27.3^  in  1917,  and  13.3^  in  1913. 

Distribution  of  the  1923  copper  output,  by  counties,  was  as  follows : 

County  Pounds  Value 

Calaveras - 1,598,776  $235,020 

Inyo   77,349  11.370 

Plumas     22,883,609  3,363,891 

San  Bernardino 13,328  1,959 

Shasta   3,437,963  505,381 

Trinity ; 329,706  48,467 

Del  Norte,  Nevada,  Orange* 6,129  901 

Totals ^ 28,346,860  $4,166,989 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

Copper  Production   of  California,  by  Years. 

Although  some  mining  of  copper  ores  in  a  small  way  had  been  done 
earlier,  shipments  in  appreciable  quantities  began  in  1861  and  continued 
of  importance  up  to  the  end  of  1867,  when  a  total  of  68,631  tons  (of 
2376  pounds)  of  high-grade  ores,  and  847  tons  of  matte  or  'regulus'^ 
had  been  shipped  to  smelters  at  New  York,  Boston,  and  Swansea,  Wales. 
The  most  important  district  at  that  time  was  Copperopolis  and  vicinity 
in  Calaveras  County,  with  some  shipments  also  made  from  Mariposa,  El 
Dorado,  and  Fresno  counties.  From  1868  to  1882,  the  output  was 
insignificant.  There  are  wide  discrepancies  in  the  figures  currently 
recorded  for  copper  production  previous  to  1882  in  which  year  the  data 
of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  begin.  The  detailed  statistics  of  the 
California  State  Mining  Bureau  began  with  the  year  1894. 

^Brown,  J.  Ross,  Mineral  Resources  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  p.  168,  1867. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


39 


Amount  and  value  of  copper  production  in  California  annually  since 
1882  is  given  in  the  following  tabulation: 


Tear 

Pounds 

Value 

Year 

Pounds 

Value 

1882 

826,695 

1,600,862 

876,166 

469,028 

430.210 

1,600,000 

1,570.021 

151.505 

23.347 

3,397,405 

2.980.944 

239,682 

738,594 

225.650 

1,992.844 

$144,672 

265,743 

120,911 

49,248 

431021 

192,000 

235,303 

18,180 

3.502 

424,675 

342,808 

21,571 

72,486 

21,901 

199.519 

1904 

29,974,154 
16,997.489 
28,726.448 
32,602,945 
40,868,772 
65.727,736 
53  721,032 

$3,969,995 

1883 

1905     —    

2,650,605 

1884           -      -      _ 

1906       -    __ 

6,522,712 

1885 

1907    

6,341,387 

1886 

1908    

5,350,777 

1887  

1909 

8  478  142 

1888  _„ 

1910 

fi  fisn  R41 

1889 

1911      _    _ 

36,838,024  |       4i604J53 

1890 

1912 

34  169  997          K  RS8  04Q 

1801 

1913 

34,471,118 
30,491.535 
40,968,966 
55,809,019 
48,534,611 
47.793,046 
22.162.605 
12,947,299 
12,088,053 
22,883.987 
28,346,860 

5,343,023 
4,055,375 

1892 

1914  .1 

1893 

1915 

7,169,567 
13,729.017 
13,249,948 

1894 

1916 

1895 

1917  _ 

1896 

1918 ___ 

11,805,883 

1897 

13.638.626  \        1.540.666 

1919 

4  122  246 

1898 

21.543.229 
23.915.486 
29.515.512 
34.931,788 
27  860,162 
19,113,861 

2.475.168 
3,990.534 
4,748.242 
5.501.782 
3,239.975 
2,520,997 

1920 

2.382.303 
1,559,358 

1899 

1921 

1900 

1922 

3.090.582 

1901       .  -      _ 

1923    >      _      -    _ 

4,166.989 

1Qfl'> 

Totals 

1903 

883,765,313 

$146,084,256 

GOLD. 

Bihliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports 
letins  36,  45,  57,  91.     U.  S.  Geol.  Surv., 


I  to  XX   (inc.). 
Prof.  Paper  73. 


Bui 


Gold  was  the  first  and,  for  many  years,  the  most  important  single 
mineral  product  of  California.  Although  now  surpassed  for  a  number 
of  years  in  annual  value  by  petroleum,  and  by  cement  beginning  with 
1920,  it  still  heads  our  metal  list,  and  California  continues  to  outrank 
all  the  other  gold-producing  states  of  the  United  States,  including 
Alaska.  In  fact,  at  present  California  is  producing  approximately  30% 
of  the  gold  mined  in  the  entir-e  United  States. 

While  there  is  some  renewal  of  activity  in  the  development  of  gold 
lode  properties,  it  has  not  yet  become  reflected  in  an  increased  yield  of 
the  metal.  The  1'923  figures  show  a  decrease  from  the  1922  yield.  The 
continued  shut-down  of  most  of  the  copper  mines  which  have  always 
been  important  producers  of  by-product  gold  and  silver,  has  also  been 
an  important  factor. 

Outlook  for  1924. 

According  to  the  mid-year  review  of  the  United  States  Geological 
Survey  ^  for  the  first  six  m^onths  of  1924, 

"Metal  mining  in  California  was  rather  active  during  the  first  six  months  of  1924, 
as  shown  by  reports  received  from  the  miners  by  J.  M.  Hill,  of  the  San  Francisco 
office  of  the  Geological  Survey.  Most  of  the  activity  has  been  directed  to  the 
development  of  gold  quartz  mines  rather  than  to  production,  for  the  output  of  gold 
and  silver  was  less  than  in  the  first  six  months  of  1923.  Five  of  the  large  Mother 
Lode  mines — The  Argonaut,  Plymouth,  Shawmut,  Central  Eureka,  and  Moore — are 
deepening  their  shafts.  The  placer  output  was  small,  because  of  drought;  a  large 
number  of  hydraulic  properties  in  the  Klamath  and  Sierra  mountains  had  almost  no 
water  and  therefore  made  but  small  output.  The  dredges  maintained  production  at 
about  the  normal  rate,  but  fewer  boats  are  working.  The  silver  mines,  particularly 
the  California  Rand,  curtailed  production  in  order  to  carry  on  extensive  development. 
The  lead  producers  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state  have  apparently  been  working 

^U.   S.   Geol.   Surv.,   Press  Bulletin  July   11,   1924. 


40 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


at  the  normal  rate.  The  production  of  copper  has  been  further  increased  ;  the  rate 
during  the  first  six  months  of  1924  was  about  4,000,000  pounds  a  month.  The  work 
of  development  at  the  Engels  mine  may  restrict  the  output  there  during  the  rest  of 
the  year." 

Production  in  1923. 

The  State  Mining  Bureau  has  never  independently  collected  statistics 
of  gold  and  silver  production,  as  there  is  no  necessity  for  duplicating 
the  very  thoroughly  organized  work  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey 
covering  those  metals.  The  data  here  given  relative  to  these  two  metals 
have  been  received  through  the  courtesy  and  cooperation  of  Mr.  J.  M. 
Hill,  Statistician  in  Charge  of  the  San  Francisco  branch  office  of  the 
Division  of  Mineral  Resources.  Anyone  wishing  fuller  details  of  the 
production  of  these  metals  may  obtain  the  same  by  applying  to  the 
U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  Washington,  D.  C,  or  to  room  305,  U.  S. 
Custom  House,  San  Francisco,  California,  for  a  copy  of  the  'separate' 
on  the  subject. 


1 

WBKKSSf^^s^^  .^3^^^BB 

m      1 

■.;#^'     W       * 

Elephant  Deep  Hydraulic  Mine  at  Volcano,  Amador  County,  Cal. 


The   gold  production  of   California   for   1923   was   distributed,   by 
counties,  as  follows: 


Gold  Production  by  Counties,  1923. 

County 

Value 

County 

Value 

Amador 

$1,734,133 

487,393 

1,205,784 

1,778 

30,264 

18,519 

2,260 

1,126 

36,702 

107,051 

661 

714 

12,074 

141,883 

34,661 

$2,282,155 

75,732 

174,871 

1.331,227 

210,923 

822 

Butte 

Placer.     . 

Calaveras 

Del  Norte 

El  Dorado _ 

San  Bernardino 

Fresno 

San  Diego 

Humboldt 

Shasta 

359,487 

Imperial,  Orange,  Riverside* 

Sierra. 

878,164 

Inyo _ 

45,633 

Kern 

174,814 

Lassen,  Merced,  Modoc* 

Trinity 

617,841 

Los  Angeles 

Tuolumne 

261,936 

Madera 

Yuba 

3,150,405 

Total 

Mono 

$13,379,013 

*Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  producer  in  each. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  41 

The  decline  in  gold  yield  from  the  1922  figure  of  $14,670,346  was  due 
to  a  lower  production  from  the  quartz  mines,  whereas  the  placer  yield 
showed  a  slisrht  increase.  The  tonnage  of  dry  gold  ores  treated  in  1923 
was  about  200,000  tons  less,  but  the  yield  of  gold  from  all  other  dasses 
of  ore  was  greater  in  1923  than  in  1922. 

The  following  is  quoted  from  the  advance  chapter  on  Gold  in  1923, 
by  courtesy  of  Mr.  J.  M.  Hill  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey : 

"The  accrediting  of  the  gold  reported  as  produced  in  California  to  the  several 
counties  and  to  placers  and  deep  mines  is  difficult,  for  much  of  the  gold  reaches  the 
mint  with  no  means  of  identifying  its  origin.  A  large  part  of  this  gold  is  won  by- 
small  mine  owners  who  do  not  respond  to  the  Geological  Survey's  inquiries,  and  a 
considerable  part  is  without  doubt  the  result  of  operations  by  "high-graders."  In 
1923  it  is  estimated  that  at  least  $120,000  of  gold  belongs  in  this  latter  class.  Bankers 
and  storekeepers  at  such  centers  as  Sonora,  Angels  Camp,  Jackson,  Nevada  City, 
Grass  Valley,  Oroville,  Redding,  and  Yreka  purchase  or  ship  gold  that  comes  from  a 
considerable  territory  tributary  to  those  towns,  and  often  no  record  is  kept  of  the 
persons  for  whom  the  bullion  is  handled  or  of  its  origin.  These  lots  are  usually 
small,  but  in  the  course  of  a  year  they  aggregate  a  considerable  number  of  ounces, 
which  must  be  accredited  according  to  the  Survey's  best  judgment. 

"In  1923  there  were  35  properties  producing  over  1,000  ounces  of  gold,  which  con- 
tributed 90.10  per  cent  of  the  total  gold  output  of  California.  Of  these  13  were 
dredges,  17  deep  gold-quartz  mines,  2  copper  mines,  2  "silver  mines,  and  1  lead  mine. 
The  ten  largest  gold-producing  companies  in  California  in  1923  in  order  of  rank  of 
production  were  Yuba  Consolidated  Gold  Fields  (6  dredges),  Natomas  Co.  of  Cali- 
fornia (8  dredges).  Empire  Mines  Co.  (gold  quartz),  Carson  Hill  Gold  Mines,  Inc. 
(gold  quartz).  North  Star  Mines  Co.  (gold  quartz),  Sixteen  To  One  (gold  quartz), 
Kennedy  Mg.  &  Mg.  Co.  (gold  quartz),  Marvsville  Dredging  Co.  (1  dredge).  Central 
Eureka  Mg.  Co.  (gold  quartz).  Argonaut  Mg.  Co.  (gold  quartz).  The  gold  pro- 
duced in  5  counties  in  1923  was  valued  at  over  a  million  dollars,  namely,  Yuba 
dredges  ($3,150,405),  Nevada  quartz  ($2,282,155),  Amador  quartz  ($1,734,133), 
Sacramento  dredges    ($1,331,227),   and  Calaveras   quartz    ($1,205,784). 

"In  1923  deep  mines  produced  51.2  per  cent  and  placer  mines  48.8  per  cent  of  the 
total  gold  output  of  California.  In  1922  the  relative  proportion  was  deep  mines  62.5 
per  cent  and  placers  37.5  per  cent;  in  1921  it  was  deep  mines  48  per  cent  and  placers 
52  per  cent,  and  in  1920  deep  mines  produced  51  per  cent  and  placers  49  per  cent. 
Most  of  the  353  placer  mines  operated  in  California  in  1923  were  relatively  small. 
Aside  from  the  29  dredges  there  were  only  7  placers,  of  which  2  were  hydraulic. 
4  drift,  and  1  surface  mine,  at  which  more  than  $10,000  in  gold  was  recovered. 

"The  placer  gold  yield  in  1923  was  valued  at  $6,522,583,  an  increase  of  19  per 
cent,  as  compared  with  the  yield  in  1922.  Dredges  produced  93  per  cent,  drift  mines 
2.83  per  cent,  hydraulic  1.71  per  cent,  and  surface  mines  2.46  per  cent  of  the  total. 
During  the  year  there  were  29  dredges,  64  drift  mines,  92  hydraulic  mines,  and  168 
surface  placers,  at  which  gold  was  produced.  Dredges  in  1923  produced  $1,066,520 
more  than  in  1922,  the  greater  part  of  the  increase  was  in  the  Yuba  River  and 
Trinity  River  fields.  The  dredges  in  Calaveras,  Sacramento,  and  Shasta  counties 
produced  less  gold  than  in  1922. 

"The  gold  produced  at  drift  mines  in  1923  was  $67,855  less  than  in  1922,  Butte 
County  drift  mines  being  the  largest  producers  in  this  class.  There  was  a  net 
decrease  of  $46,447  in  the  gold  yield  of  hydraulic  mines,  Siskiyou,  Trinity,  and  Sierra 
counties  still  being  the  largest  producers  under  this  method  of  mining.  The  pro- 
duction of  gold  from  surface  placers  increased  $70,510  in  1923,  as  compared  with 
1922.  There  was  some  production  from  almost  every  mining  county,  but  the 
individual  production  of  this  class  of  mining  is  relatively  small. 

"The  production  of  gold  from  deep  mines  in  1923  was  valued  at  $6,856,430,  a 
decrease  of  $2,314,061,  or  25  per  cent,  as  compared  with  1922.  Of  the  268  deep 
mines,  which  reported  production  in  1923,  only  23  yielded  more  than  $20,000  worth 
of  gold,  only  5  more  than  $400,000  worth,  and  at  only  2  deep  mines  was  the  value  of 
the  gold  yield  over  $1,000,000.  Deep  mines  in  Nevada  County  produced  the  greatest 
quantity  of  gold  in  1923  ($2,251,897),  followed  by  Amador  County  ($1,705,919), 
Calaveras  County  ($1,011,022),  Sierra  County  ($853,508),  and  Tuolumne  County 
($255,011).  There  were  very  large  decreases  in  the  gold  yield  from  deep  mines  in 
Amador,  Calaveras,  Nevada,  and  Sierra  counties.  The  deep  mines  of  Inyo,  Kern, 
Mariposa,  Mono,  Placer,  Shasta,  and  Siskiyou  counties  were  less  productive  than  in 
1922,  but  increases  in  the  gold  output  of  deep  mines  in  Plumas,  San  Bernardino,  and 
Tuolumne   counties   were   recorded. 

"The  dry  gold  ores  mined  in  1923,  a  total  of  786,476  tons  (a  decrease  of  198,309 
tons  compared  with  1922)  yielded  94  per  cent  of  the  gold  produced  at  deep  mines  and 
48  per  cent  of  the  total  deep  and  placer  gold  produced  in  the  state.  Dry  silver  ores 
(135,683  tons)  gave  3  per  cent,  and  copper  ores  (546,404  tons)  carried  2  per  cent 
of  the  gold  from  deep  mines.  Bullion  made  at  gold  and  silver  mills  carried  90  per 
cent,  concentrates  made  at  all  classes  of  mills  16  per  cent,  and  smelting  ore  1  per 
cent  of  the  total   gold  produced  by  deep  mines   in   1923." 

Total  Gold   Production  of  California. 

The  following  table  was  originally  compiled  by  Chas.  G.  Yale,  of  the 
Division  of  Mineral  Resources,  IT.  S.  Geological  Survey,  but  for  a  num- 


42 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


ber  of  years  statistician  of  the  California  State  Mining  Bureau  and  the 
U.  S.  Mint  at  San  Francisco.  The  authorities  chosen  for  certain  periods 
were:  J.  D.  Whitney,  state  geologist  of  California;  John  Arthur 
Phillips,  author  of  ''Mining  and  Metallurgy  of  Gold  and  Silver" 
(1867);  U.  S.  Mining  Commissioner  E.  W.  Raymiond;  U.  S.  Mining 
Commissioner  J.  Ross  Browne ;  Wm.  P.  Blake,  Commissioner  from  Cali- 
fornia to  the  Paris  Exposition,  where  he  made  a  report  on  "Precious 
Metals"  (1867);  John  J.  Valentine,  author  for  many  years  of  the 
annual  report  on  precious  metals  published  by  Wells,  Fargo  &  Com- 
pany's Express;  and  Louis  A.  Garnett,  in  the  early  days  manager  of 
the  San  Francisco  refinery,  where  records  of  gold  receipts  and  ship- 
ments were  kept.  Mr.  Yale  obtained  other  data  from  the  reports  of 
the  director  of  the  U.  S.  Mint  and  the  director  of  the  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey.  The  authorities  referred  to,  who  were  alive  at  the  time  of  the 
original  compilation  of  this  table  in  1894,  were  all  consulted  in  person 
or  by  letter  by  Mr.  Yale  with  reference  to  the  correctness  of  their 
published  data,  and  the  final  table  quoted  was  then  made  up. 

The  figures  since  1904  are  those  prepared  by  the  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey : 


Year 

Value 

Year 

Value 

1848 

$245,301 
10,151,360 
41,273,106 
75,938,232 
81,294,700 
67,613,487 
69,433,931 
55,485,395 
57,509,411 
43,628,172 
46,591,140 
45,846,599 
44,095,163 
41,884,995 
38,854,668 
23,501,736 
24,071,423 
17,930,858 
17,123,867 
18,265,452 
17.555,867 
18,229,044 
17,458,133 
17,477,885 
15,482,194 
15,019,210 
17,264,836 
16,876,009 
15,610,723 
16,501,268 
18,839,141 
19,626,654 
20,030,761 
19,223,155 
17,146,416  1 
24,316,873 
13,600,000  1 
12,661,044  1 

1886 

$14,716,506 
13,588,614 
12,750,000 
11,212,913 
12,309,793 
12,728,869 
12,571,900 
12,422,811 
13,923,281 
15,334,317 
17,181,562 
15,871,401 
15,906,478 
15,336,031 
15,863,355 
16,989,044 
16,910,320 
16,471,264 
19,109,600 
19,197,043 
18,732,452 
16,727,928 
18,761,559 
20,237,870 
19,715,440 
19,738,908 
19,713.478 
20,406,958 
20,653,496 
22,442,296 
21,410,741 
20,087.504 
16,529,162 
16,695,955 
14,311.043 
15,704,822 
14,670,346 
13,379,013 

1849 

1887 

1850 

1888 

1851 

1889 

1852 

1890 

1853 

1891 

1854. 

1892  .. 

1855.. 

1893 

1856 

1894 

1857 

1895 

1858 . 

1896 

1859 

1897 

1860 .: 

1898 

1861 

1899 

1862 

1900 

1863 

1901  ._  _  --  ... 

1864 _ 

1902 

1865 

1903 

1866 

1904 

1867 

1905 

1868. 

1906 

1869 

1907 

1870 

1908 

1871 

1909 

1872 

1910 

1873 

1911 

1874 

1912 

1875 

1913 

1876 

1914 

1877 

1915 

1878... 

1916 

1879 

1917 

1880 

1918 

1881 

1919 

1882 ...1 

1920 

1883 

1921 

1884 

1922 

1885 

1923 

.  Total 

$1,763,972,282 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION, 


43 


IRIDIUM    (see  under  Platinum). 

IRON  ORE. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  IV,  V,  X,  XII,  XIII, 
XIV,  XV,  XVII,  XVIII.  Bulletins  38,  67,  91.  Am.  Inst.  Min. 
Eng.,  Trans.  LIII.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  115,  pp.  112, 117-122 ; 
Vol.  123,  pp.  94-96,  113-114. 

Iron  ore  to  the  amount  of  3102  tons,  valued  at  $18,665,  was  produced 
in  California  during  the  year  1923,  and  utilized  for  foundry  flux  and  in 
steel  refining  at  open-hearth  plants.  There  is  also  some  tonnage  utilized 
in  the  manufacture  of  paint  pigment,  and  which  is  credited  to  'mineral 
paint'  in  these  statistical  reports.  This  1923  yield  is  a  slight  decrease 
from  the  3588  tons  and  $18,868  of  1922. 

There  are  considerable  deposits  of  iron  ore  known  in  California, 
notably  in  Shasta,  Madera,  Placer,  Riverside  and  San  Bernardino 
counties,  but  production  has  so  far  been  limited  for  lack  of  an  economic 
supply  of  coking  coal.  Some  pig-iron  has  been  made,  utilizing  charcoal 
for  fuel,  both  in  blast  furnaces  and  by  electrical  reduction ;  also,  f erro- 
chrome,  ferro-manganese,  and  ferro-silicon  have  been  made  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

Total    Iron  Ore  Production  of  California. 

Total  iron  ore  production  in  California,  with  annual  amounts  and 
I     values,  is  as  follows : 


TeaT 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1881*  

1882  ._    

9,273 

2,073 

11.191 

4,532 

$79,452 
17,766 

106,540 
40,983 

1911 

1912 

558 
2.508 
2,343 
1,436 

724 
3,000 
2,874 
3.108 
2.300 
5,975 
1,970 
3,588 
3.102 

$558 
2,506 

1883 

1913    -      -             -    —. 

4,485 

1884 

1885           -  -    — 

1914      

5,128 

1915 

2,584 

1886 

3.676 

19,250 

1916 

6,000 

1887 

1917  

1918 

11,496 

1893 

1894 

250 
200 

2,000 
1,500 

15.947 

1919 

13,796 

1895 

1920    -    —    -i 

40,889 

1907 

400 

400 

1921  _ _- 

12,030 

1908  _-    

1922 

1923 

18,868 

1909 

108 
579 

174 
900 

18,665 

IQIO 

Totals 

65,748 

$521,919 

♦Productions  for  the  year  1881-1886  (inc.)  were  reported  as  "tons  of  pig  iron"  (U.  S.  G.  S., 
Min.  Ees.  1885),  and  for  the  table  herewith  are  calculated  to  "tons  of  ore"  on  the  basis  of 
47.6%  Fe  as  shown  by  an  average  of  analyses  of  the  ores  (State  Mineralogist  Iteport  IV,  p.  242). 
This  early  production  of  pig  iron  was  from  the  blast  furnaces  then  in  operation  at  Hotaling  in 
Placer  County.  Charcoal  was  used  in  lieu  of  coke.  Though  producing  a  superior  grade  oi 
metal,  they  were  obliged  finally  to  close  down,  as  they  could  not  compete  with  the  cheaper 
English  and  eastern  United  States  iron  brought  in  by  sea  to  San  Francisco. 


LEAD. 

Bibliography:   State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  VIII-XV    (inc.), 

xvii-xix. 

Lead  production  in  Calif orsia  in  1923  increased  more  than  50%  over 
that  of  the  preceding  year,  but  still  below  the  record  yield  of  the  years 
1916-1918.  The  principal  output  was  from  lead-silver  ores  from  Inyo 
County,  with  smaller  but  important  amounts  from  Shasta,  San  Ber- 
nardino, and  Orange  counties.     The  average  price  for  the  year  was 


44 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


7.0^  per  pound  as  compared  with  5.5^  in  1922,  3.9^  in  1913,  and  the 
hi^h-level  average  of  8.7f^  per  pound  in  1917. 

The  1923  production  was  distributed  by  counties,  as  follows : 

County  Pounds  Value 

Inyo    9.541.868  $667,931 

Nevada    1,290  90 

San  Bernardino 34,477  2,413 

Shasta    328,115  22,968 

Calaveras,  Orange,  San  Diego,   Siskiyou*   2  8,772  2,014 

Totals 9,934,522  $695,416 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

Lead   Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Statistics  on  lead  production  in  California  were  first  compiled  by 
this  Bureau  in  1887.  Amount  and  value  of  the  output,  annually,  with 
total  figures,  to  date,  are  given  in  the  following  table : 


Year 

Pounds 

Value 

Year 

Pounds 

Value 

1887              —    — 

1,160,000 

900,000 

940,000 

800,000 

1,140,000 

1,360,000 

666,000 

950,000 

1,592,400 

1,293,500 

596,000 

655,000 

721,000 

1,040,000 

720,500 

349,440 

110,000 

124,000 

533.680 

338.718 

$52,200 
38,250 
35,720 
36,000 
49,020 
54,400 
24,975 
28,500 
49,364 
38,805 
20.264 
23.907 
30.642 
41.600 
28,820 
12,230 
3.960 
5,270 
25,083 
19,307 

1907 

328,681 
1,124,483 
2,685,477 
3,016,902 
1,403,839 
1,370,067 
3,640,951 
4,697,400 
4,796,299 
12,392,031 
21,651,352 
13,464,869 
4,139,562 
4,903,738 
1,149,051 
6,511,280 
9,934,522 

$16,690 

1888 

1908 

46,663 

1889 

1909 

144,897 

1890 

1910 

134,082 

1891 

1911        

63,173 

1892             

1912 

61,653 

1893 

1913 

1914         __    —    -__ 

160,202 

1894  

183,198 

1895 

1915 

225,426 

1896 

1916 

855,049 

1897 

1917 

1,862,016 

1898 

1918 

956,006 

1899 

1919 

1920 

1921 

219  397 

1900 - 

392,300 
51,707 

1901 

1902 

1922 

358.120 

1903 

1923 

695,416 

1904         

Totals —_ 

1905 

113,200,742 

$7,044,312 

1906  

MANGANESE. 

Bihliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XIV,  XV, 
XVIII.    Bulletins  38,  67,  76,  91.    U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  427. 

Manganese  ore  shipments  in  California  in  1923  amounted  to  a  total 
of  690  tons  of  all  grades,  valued  at  $10,620,  being  a  slight  increase  in 
both  quantity  and  value  over  the  1922"  yield  which  totaled  540  tons  and 
$7,650  value.  These  ores  were  utilized  mainly  by  the  brick,  paint,  and 
glass  trade,  with  a  small  tonnage  of  high-grade  ore  going  to  electric 
dry-battery  manufacture.  The  prospects  are  for  an  increased  produc- 
tion in  1924  owing  to  an  increasing  Pacific  Coast  requirement  for  ferro- 
manganese. 

Importations  of  foreign  manganese  ores  in  1923,  mainly  from  Brazil, 
amounted  to  a  total  of  206,048  long  tons  valued  at  $3,874,510,  compared 
with  374,451  tons  and  $3,399,764  in  1922.  The  Tariff  Act  of  1922,  which 
became  effective  Sept.  22  in  that  year,  provides  for  an  import  duty  of 
1^  per  pound  on  the  metallic  manganese  contained,  for  ' '  manganese  ore 
or  concentrates  containing  in  -excess  of  30  per  centum  of  metallic 
manganese."  The  bulk  of  such  ore  is  consumed  in  the  large  steel- 
producing  centers  of  the  eastern  United  States. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  45 

Domestic   Manganese  Resources. 

The  subcommittee  on  manganese  of  the  Mining  and  Metallurgical 
Society  of  America  has  recently  made  public  its  findings  on  the  situa- 
tion in  the  United  States  as  regards  apparent  domestic  resources  of 
manganese  ores.  W-e  quote,  herewith,  a  summary  ^  of  portions  of  their 
report  and  conclusions: 

"To  determine  the  adequacy  or  inadequacy  of  the  domestic  resources  the  committee 
first  considers  domestic  requirements,  putting  them  under  two  heads,  metallurgical 
and  chemical.  About  95  per  cent  of  the  tot^l  amount  consumed  is  used  in  making 
steel  and,  to  a  small  extent,  in  foundries  and  for  special  alloys.  It  is  used  principally 
in  three  forms  :  ferromangaiiese,  spiegeleisen,  and  manganiferous  pig  iron.  The  avail- 
ability of  an  ore  for  making  any  one  of  these  alloys  is  governed  largely  by  its  ratio  of 
manganese  to  iron. 

"The  committee,  in  its  estimate,  assumes  that  an  output  of  50,000,000  tons  of  steel 
will  be  reached  in  the  United  States  between  1930  and  1935.  requiring  an  amount  of 
metallic  manganese  estimated  at  13  lb.  per  ton,  or  290,000  long  tons.     To  this  it  adds 
10,000  tons  metallic  manganese  for  the  foundry  business  and  special  alloys. 
******* 

"The  remaining  5  per  cent  of  total  manganese  consumed  is  used  in  chemical 
industries,  and  the  ore  is  therefore  termed  'chemical'  ore.  Most  of  it  goes  into  dry 
batteries.     Total  pre-war  requirements  were  about  35,000  tons. 

"In  estimating  the  adequacy  of  domestic  resources  the  committee  first  had  to 
define  'ore.'  With  changing  conditions  as  to  cost  and  price,  the  report  points  out, 
the  measure  of  ore  reserved  must  also  change,  there  being  a  constant  shifting  back 
and  forth  across  the  border  line  between  ore  and  waste.  Before  the  war,  save  for 
a  few  thousand  tons,  the  United  States  had  no  high-grade  manganese  ores.  With 
artificial  war  conditions,  however,  prices  soared  and  standards  lowered,  so  that  in 
1918  the  United  States  produced  305,000  tons  of  ferro-grade  ore,  furnishing  23.6  per 
cent  of  the  manganese  used.  In  addition  to  this,  86  per  cent  of  the  manganese  used 
in  low-grade  products  came  from  domestic  sources.  This  proved  that  under  artificial 
war  conditions  the  United  States  possessed  considerable  domestic  resources  of  high- 
grade  as  well  as  low-grade  ores. 

"Since  toe  armistice,  there  has  been  a  strong  tendency  to  revert  to  the  pre-war 
situation,  though  impeded  by  unsettled  conditions,  particularly  in  Europe  and  the 
Near  East,   and  more  recently  by  the   tariff  set   up   by  Congress. 

"In  brief,  says  the  report,  under  natural  conditions  the  United  States  has  prac- 
tically no  commercial  high-grade  manganese   ores. 

"The  committee,  therefore,  has  sought  to  find  out  how  highly  artificial  conditions 
need  be  to  shift  important  quantities  of  manganes^e-bearing  material  across  the 
border  line  from  waste  to  ore.  It  has  reviewed  1850  manganese  deposits  and  pros- 
pects and  studied  all  information  as  to  their  history,  production,  and  possibilities.  It 
was  first  necessary  to  determine  upon  a  yard-stick  for  measuring  ore. 

"The  committee  became  convinced  that  a  price  equivalent  to  at  least  50  per  cent 
more  than  the  highest  price  obtaining  during  the  late  war  would  be  needed  to  make 
really  considerable  quantities  of  ferro-grade  ore  commercially  available. 

*        '  *  *  *  *  *  * 

"Applying  these  assumptions  to  its  study  of  ore  deposits  the  committee  arrived  at 
the  estimates  of  ore  reserves,  by  classes  of  ore  and  by  states,  that  are  given  in 
detail  in  the  report. 

******* 

"Study  of  these  figures  shows  that  the  reasonably  probable  ferro-grade  reserves, 
measured  by  the  high  price  adopted,  would  last  the  country  two  years,  or,  if  reason- 
able probabilities  are  included,  a  little  over  four  years.  Geological  conditions  are 
sufficiently  well  known  to  make  it  unlikely  that  other  amounts  of  importance  will  be 
found. 

"Of  chemical  ores  there  would  appear  to  be  about  eight  years'  supply,  measured 
by  the  $50  index  price.     Much  of  this  could  be  produced  at  lower  prices. 

"Domestic  reserves  of  spiegel  and  high  manganese  pig  ores  are  more  abundant, 
indicating   thirty-five   to   forty   years'   supply. 

"The  committee  concludes  that : 

"1.  Domestic  resouFces  of  ferro-grade  ores  are  totally  inadequate.  No  conceivably 
reasonable  legislation  can  remedy  this. 

"2.  Reserves  of  chemical  ores  are  adequate  for  tiding  over  an  emergency,  but  inade- 
quate from  the  point  of  view  of  continuous  supply.  Legislation  might  cause  domestic 
needs  to  be  furnished  from  domestic  sources  for  a  limited  time,  but  the  resulting 
depletion  would  seriously  endanger  the  country  in  a  time  of  possible  future  critical 
need. 

"3.  The  comparative  adequacy  of  the  reserves  for  spiegel  and  high-manganese  pig 
ores  fairly  raises  the  question  whether  some  measure  of  protection,  designed  to  foster 
their  adaptation  to  industry,  would  be  reasonable. 

"Discussing  this  last  question,  the  report  talks  of  a  tariff  not  high  enough  to 
bring  about  any  considerable  production  of  domestic  ferro-grade  ores,  but  still  high 
enough  to  increase  the  price  of  ferromanganese  to  a  point  where  there  would  be  a 
strong  inducement  to  steelmakers  to  substitute  leaner  materials,  made  from  the  more 
or  less  abundant  lean   domestic   ores. 

"The  conservation  of  high-grade  manganese  by  substituting  high-manganese  pig 
iron  for  ferro  in  making  additions  to  the  charge  is  cJbmmendable,  says  the  report,  but, 
being  already  recognized  as  a  possible   economy  in   steel  making,   the   practice  will 

^  See  Engineering  «&  Mining  Journal-Press,  Vol.  117,  No.  13,  p.  545,  Mar.  29,  1924. 


46 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


proceed  of  its  own  momentum,  and  it  is  doubted  if  it  can  be  speeded  up  by  a  tariff  on 
high-grade  materials,  which  would  place  a  burden  on  the  steel  industry. 

"Substitution  of  spiegel  for  ferro,  on  the  other  hand,  could  no  doubt  be  increased 
by  a  high  tariff  on  ferro  and  ferro  ores,  says  the  report.  Possibly  as  much  as  a 
half  of  the  total  steel  output  could  be  made  with  spiegel.  But  the  report  points  out 
that  among  steel  makers  there  is  strong  prejudice  against  changing  practice  in  this 
direction,  because  ferro  is  easier  to  use,  surer  in  its  results,  and  for  these  reasons 
cheaper. 

"A  brief  description  of  foreign  resources,  at  the  end,  serves  to  show  the  compara- 
tive insignificance  of  domestic  reserves,  and  demonstrates  why  the  United  States  has 
drawn  its  supplies  from  these  outside  sources. 

"The  subcommittee  concludes : 

"1.  The  domestic  resources  of  ferro-grade  and  chemical  ores  are  so  out  of  balance 
with  the  major  foreign  resources  that,  under  natural  conditions  of  foreign  exchange, 
imports  of  such  ores  can  be  efficiently  stopped  only  at  great  cost. 

"2.  Should  legislation  be  passed  which  should  effect  a  measurable  substitution  of 
domestic  for  foreign  ferro  ores,  the  chief  result,  aside  from  cost,  would  be  the  danger- 
ous depletion  of  reserves,  which  as  it  is  are  inadequate  for  domestic  needs. 

"3.  Domestic  resources  of  low-grade  reserves,  on  the  other  hand,  are  compara- 
tively adequate.  Any  effective  attempt,  however,  to  force  their  adaptation  to  the 
country's  needs  beyond  the  normal  development  which  may  be  looked  for  through 
increase  in  skill  and  a  vigorous  educational  campaign  would  result  in  a  cost  so 
enormous  as  to  be  quite  disproportionate  to  the  purpose  to  be  served." 

The  report  is  signed  by  C.  M.  Weld,  chairman ;  J.  W.  Furness,  D.  F. 
Hewett,  Robert  Linton,  John  A.  Mathews,  J.  V.  W.  Reynders,  and 
Bradley  Stoughton. 

Manganese  Ore   Production   in   California,  by  Years. 

Production  of  manganese  ore  in  California  began  at  the  Ladd  Mine, 
San  Joaquin  County,  in  the  Tesla  District  in  1867.  When  shipments 
of  this  ore  to  England  ceased  late  in  1874,  upwards  of  5000  tons  had 
been  produced  by  that  property.  For  some  years  following  that,  the 
output  was  small.  The  tabulation  herewith  shows  the  California  output 
of  manganese  ore,  annually,  since  1887,  when  the  compilation  of  such 
figures  was  begun  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau : 


Tear 

Tons 

Yalu6 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887 - 

1.000 

1,500 

53 

386 

705 

300 

270 

523 

880 

518 

504 

440 

295 

131 

425 

870 

1 

60 

$9,000 

13,500 

901 

3.176 

3.830 

3.000 

4.050 

5,512 

8.200 

3.415 

4,080 

2,102 

3,165 

1,310 

4.405 

7.140 

25 

900 

1906 

!)  1 
1 

S21 
3 

265 

2 

22 

$30 
25 

1888 

1907 

1889 

1908 

5,785 

1890 

1909 

1910 

75 

1891 

4,235 

1892 

1911  _ 

1912 

40 

1893 

400 

1894 

1913 _ 

1895 

1914 

1915 

150 

4,013 

13,404 

15.515 

26,075 

11,569 

2,892 

1,005 

540 

690 

1,500 

1896 

49,098 

1897 

1916 

1918  III~""~"~~ 
191^ 

274,601 

1898 

396.659 

1899 

979,235 

1900 

451,422 

1901 

1920  

62,323 

1902 

1921 

12,210 

1903 

1923 

7,650 

1904 

1923  -___ -__ 

Totals 

10,620 

1905 

85.329 

$2,333,619 

MOLYBDENUM.  '' 

Bibliography.  Reports  XIV,  XVII.     Bulletin  67.     U.  S,  Bur.  of 
Min.,  Bulletin  111.    Proc.  Colo.  Sci.  Soc,  Vol.  XI. 

Molybdenum  is  used  as  an  alloy  constituent  in  the  steel  industry, 
and  in  certain  forms  of  electrical  apparatus.     Included  in  the  latter, 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  47 

is  its  successful  substitution  for  platinum  and  platinum-iridium  in 
electric  contact  making  and  breaking  devices.  In  alloys  it  is  used 
similarly  to  and  in  conjunction  with  chromium,  cobalt,  iron,  manganese, 
nickel,  tungsten,  and  vanadium.  The  oxides  and  the  ammonium  salt 
have  important  chemical  uses. 

The  two  principal  molybdenum  minerals  are:  the  sulphide,  molyb- 
denite; and  wulfenite,  lead  molybdate;  the  former  furnishing  prac- 
tically the  entire  commercial  output.  Molybdenite  is  found  in  or  asso- 
ciated with  acidic  igneous  rocks,  such  as  granite  and  pegmatite.  The 
chief  commercial  sources  have  been  New  South  Wales,  Queensland,  and 
Norway,  with  some  also  from  Canada. 

Deposits  of  disseminated  molybdenite  are  known  is  several  localities 
in  California,  and  in  at  least  two  places  it  occurs  in  small  masses 
associated  with  copper  sulphides.  The  only  recorded  commercial  ship- 
ments of  molybdenum  ore  in  California  were  during  the  war,  1916-1918. 
Some  development  work  has  recently  been  done  on  a  high-grade  deposit 
at  the  head  of  the  Kaweah  River,  Tulare  County. 

Present  quotations  for  molybdenum  ore  are  @  80^  per  pound  for 
85%  M0S2  concentrates. 

The  California  production  of  molybdenum  ore  by  years  is  summa- 
rized in  the  following  tabulation : 

Year  Tons  Value 

1916 8  $9,945 

1917 243  9,014 

1918 *  300 

Totals 251  $19,259 

*300  pounds  of  90%  MoS,  concentrate. 

NICKEL. 
BihliograpJiij:  Reports  XIV,  XVII.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bulletin  640-D. 

Nickel  occurs  in  the  Friday  Copper  Mine  in  the  Julian  District,  San 
Diego  County.  The  ore  is  a  nickel-bearing  pyrrhotite,  with  some 
associated  chalcopyrites.  Some  ore  has  been  mined  in  the  course  of 
development  work,  but  not  treated  nor  disposed  of,  as  they  were  unable 
to  get  any  smelter  to  handle  it  for  them.  Nickel  ore  has  also  been 
reported  from  other  localities  in  California,  but  not  yet  confirmed. 

Present  quotations  for  nickel  are  around  27^  per  pound,  for  the 
refined  metal. 

OSMIUM    (see  under  Platinum). 

PALLADIUM    (see  under  Platinum). 

PLATINUM. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  VIII,  IX,  XII- 
XVIII.  Bulletins  38,  45,  67,  85,  91.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Bulletins 
193,  285.    Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  Vol.  47,  pp.  217-218. 

In  California,  platinum  is  obtained  as  a  by-product  from  placer 
operations  for  gold.  The  major  portion  of  it  comes  from  the  dredges 
working  in  Butte,  Calaveras,  Sacramento,  Shasta,  Stanislaus,  and  Yuba 
counties,  with  smaller  amounts  from  the  hydraulic  and  surface-sluicing 
mines  of  Del  Norte,  Humboldt,  Nevada,  Siskiyou  and  Trinity. 


48  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

During  reoent  years,  quite  a  number  of  prospectors  and  small 
operators,  working  with  rockers  and  panning  have  recovered  amounts 
of  platinum  which,  though  individually  small,  have  in  the  aggregate 
added  materially  to  the  state's  total  yield.  This  is  particularly  true 
of  the  Beegum  Creek  District  in  southwestern  Shasta  County ;  also  the 
New  River  and  Hayfork  districts  in  Trinity  County. 

The  production  of  platinum-group  metals  in  California  for  1923 
totaled  665  ounces,  crude,  containing  602  fine  ounces,  valued  at  $78,546. 
Of  this  amount,  a  total  of  578  ounces,  crude,  or  87%,  came  from  the  gold 
dredges.  This  is  a  decrease  of  193  fine  ounces  in  quantity,  and  $11,742 
in  value  compared  with  the  1922  figures,  due  to  one  dredge  in  Shasta 
County  having  worked  out  its  grounds  and  ceased  operations.  The 
prices  prevailing  in  1923  were  higher  than  in  1922.  Up  to  $117  per  fine 
ounce  was  paid  for  platinum,  and  $275  per  fine  ounce  for  iridium 
content  in  1923. 

The  above-noted  total  of  602  fine  ounces  includes  286  fine  ounces  of 
osmiridium  and  iridium,  also  some  palladium.  Most  of  the  platinum 
refiners  pay  for  the  osmiridium  on  the  basis  of  its  iridium  content. 
Crude  'platinum'  is  really  a  mixture  of  the  metals  of  that  group,  and 
carries  varying  percentages  of  platinum,  iridium,,  and  osmiridium  or 
iridosmine,  with  occasionally  some  palladium.  Som^e  platinum  and 
palladium  are  also  recovered  in  the  electrolytic  refining  of  blister  copper. 
Iron  in  greater  or  less  amount  is  always  alloyed  naturally  with  native 
platinum,  and  usually  some  iridium  and  osmium. 

For  further  detailed  information  on  California's  platinum  resources, 
analyses,  tests,  et  al.,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Bulletin  85,  issued 
by  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  and  to  the  April,  1922,  issue  of  'Mining  in 
California,'  pages  158-172. 

In  addition,  there  is  usually  some  platinum  recovered  as  a  by-product 
in  the  gold  refinery  of  the  Mint,  but  which  can  not  be  assigned  to  the 
territory  of  its  origin  for  laek  of  knowing  to  which  lots  of  gold  it 
belongs.  The  San  Francisco  Mint  is  stated  to  have  recovered  as  high 
as  100  ounces  of  platinum  in  a  single  year  from  this  source,  some  of 
which  unquestionably  came  from  California  mines. 

For  1923,  the  distribution  of  California 's  platinum  yield  was  as 
follows : 

Fine 
County  Ounces  Value 

Butte _  19  $2,601 

Shasta     299  43,326 

Siskiyou    3  339 

Trinity    18  2,050 

Yuba    ^- 158  16,974 

Calaveras,    Del    Norte,    Humboldt,    Nevada,    Sacramentoa, 

Stanislaus*    105  13,256 

Totals 602  $78,546 


■Includes  palladium. 

•Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


49 


Russia,  previous  to  1916,  was  producing  from  90%  to  95%  of  the 
world's  platinum,  but  for  several  years  following  was  reduced  to  practi- 
cally nothing ;  and  has  not  yet  recovered  her  former  position.  Colombia 
ranked  in  second  place,  but  now  leads.  .California  is  the  leading  pro- 
ducer in  th«  United  States. 

Uses,  Markets,  and   Consumption. 

Besides  its  well-known  uses  in  jewelry,  dentistry  and  for  chemical- 
ware  an  important  industrial  development  of  recent  years  employs 
platinum  as  a  catalyzer  in  the  'contact  process'  of  manufacturing  con- 
centrated sulphuric  acid.  It  is  also  necessary  for  certain  delicate  parts 
of  the  ignition  systems  in  automobiles,  motor  boats,  and  aeroplanes. 
Experiments  have  been  made  to  find  alloys  which  can  replace  platinum 
for  dishes  and  crucibles  in  analytical  work,  but  so  far  with  only  slight 
success.  '     i  "fP^'^l 

According  to  Hill  ^  the  total  consumption  of  platinum  metals  in  the 
United  States  in  1923  was  190,783  troy  ounces,  an  increase  of  4%  Over 
that  consumed  in  1922,  distributed  as  follows: 


"Platinum  metals  consumed  in 

the  United  States  as  reported  by  refiners,  1922  and  1923,  by  industries,  in  troy  ounces. 

Industry 

Platinum 

Iridium 

Palladium 

Others 

Total 

Percentage 
of  total 

1922 
"Chemical 

8,834 

24,988 

11,651 

108,527 

2,838 

172 

1,537 

83 

2,588 

1,064 

458 
2,735 
5,535 
9,852 

636 

271 

9,735 

29,260 

17,269 

122,157 

4,538 

5 

Electrical-. 

16 

Dental 

10 

Jewelry 

1,190 

67 

2 

156,838 

5,444 

19,216 

1,461 

182,959 

100 

1923 

"Chemical 

8,637 

18,596 

16,288 

105,699 

3,156 

190 
1,675 

153 
3,073 
1,403 

485 
3,666 
10,116 
14,948 

986 

266 

9,578 
23,937 
26,557 
123,910 

6,801 

5 

Electrical 

13 

Dental 

14 

Jewelry 

190 
1,256 

65 

Miscellaneous 

3 

152.376 

6,494 

30,201 

1,712 

190,783 

100 

"Stocks. 

"At  the  end  of  1923  the  stocks  of  pUtinum  metals  in  the  United  States  had  decreased  about  7  per  cent  as  compared 
with  those  in  1922. 

"Stocks  of  platinum  metals  in  hands  of  refiners  in  the  United  States  December  31, 1919-23,  in  troy  ounces. 


Metal 

1919 

1920 

1921 

1922 

1923 

"Platinum 

29,228 

3,359 

10,235 

610 

46,747 

4,196 

16,565 

216 

38,514 
4,991 

21,042 
3,113 

41,900 
7,559 

24,975 
1,583 

36,554 
5,208 

26.266 
2,697" 

Iridium 

Palladium 

Others 

1  Hill,  J.  M.,  Platinum  and  allied  metals  in  1923  :  U.  S.  Geo).  Surv.,  Press  Bulletin, 
May  12,  1924. 


4—35173 


50 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Platinum   Production  of  California  by  Years. 

The  annual  production  and  value  since  1887,  have  been  as  follows 


1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 
1905. 


Ounces 


100 

$400 

500 

2,000 

500 

2,000 

600 

2,500 

lOO 

500 

80 

440 

75 

517 

100 

600 

150 

900 

162 

944 

150 

900 

300 

1,800 

300 

1,800 

400 

2,500 

250 

3,200 

39 

468 

70 

1,052 

123 

1,849 

200 

3.320 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1921  , 

1922 

1923  . 


Ounces 

Value 

91 

$1,647 

300 

6,255 

706 

13,414 

416 

10,400 

337 

8.386 

511 

14,873 

6G3 

19.731 

368 

17,738 

463 

14,816 

667 

21,149 

886 

42,642 

610 

43.719 

5?1 

42,788 

*418 

o0,611 

477 

68,977 

613 

58,754 

795 

90,288 

602 

78,546 

Totals 13,627   $642,424 


*Fine  ounces,  beginning  with  1919. 


QUICKSILVER. 

BiUiography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  V,  XII-XV,  XVII- 
XIX  (inc.).  Bulletins  27,  78,  91.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Mono- 
graph XIII.    U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Tech.  Papers  96,  227. 

Quicksilver  was  produced  in  California  in  nine  counties  during  1923 
to  the  amount  of  5458  flasks,  valued  at  $332,851,  being  approximately 
a  60%  increase  both  in  amount  and  value  over  the  1922  output  of  3466 
flasks  and  $191,851.  The  average  price  received  during  1923,  accord- 
ing to  the  producers'  reports  to  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  was  $60.98 
per  flask,  as  against  $55.35  in  1922,  and  the  record  average  of  $114.03 
for  the  year  1918. 

The  average  of  San  Francisco  quotations  for  1923  was  $65.68  per 
flask,  the  price  decEning  from  $70.70  in  the  first  week  of  January  to 
$59.75  in  the  last  week  of  December.  For  the  current  year,  1924,  the 
quotations  are  ranging  somewhat  higher. 

According  to  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce  rec- 
ords, there  was  imported  a  total  of  18,073  flasks  of  quicksilver  in  1923, 
mainly  from  Spain  and  Italy;  and  there  were  318  flasks  exported.  The 
tariff  act  of  1922  provides  for  an  import  duty  of  25^  per  pound,  or 
$18.75  per  flask  (75  pounds,  net),  which  became  effective  September 
21,  1922. 


STATISTICS  OF*  ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


51 


The  tJ.  S.  Geological  Survey  reports  the  total  production  of  the 
United  States  for  1923  at  7937  flasks,  valued  at  $521,302  (using 
the  $65.68  average  of  quotations).  Outside  of  California,  the  prin- 
cipal yield  was  from  Texas,  with  a  few  flasks  from  Nevada,  Oregon 
and  Idaho.    California's  contribution  was  69%  of  the  total. 

The  increase  in  .1923  was  due  to  resumption  of  production  at  the 
New  Idria  mine,  San  Benito  County.  There  was  no  production  from 
the  Guadalupe  mine,  Santa  Clara  County,  nor  from  the  Oceanic  mine, 
San  Luis  Obispo  County.  A  rotary  furnace  has  been  installed  at  the 
Rinconada  mine,  in  the  latter  county,  and  production  begun. 

The  1923  quicksilver  production  of  California  was  distributed  by 
lounties,  as  follows: 

Quicksilver  Production  by  Counties,  1923. 


County 

Flasks 

Value 

Lake 

17 

157 

528 

4,756 

$1,050 

Napa 

9,759 

Sonoma _     

31,147 

Kings,  Monterey,  San  Benito,  San  Luis  Obispo,  Santa  Clara,  Solano* 

290,895 

Totals ___ __ 

5,458 

$332,851 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 
Uses. 

The  most  important  uses  of  quicksilver  are  the  recovery  of  gold  and 
silver  by  amalgamation,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  fulminate  for 
explosive  caps,  of  drugs,  of  electric  appliances,  and  of  scientific  appa- 
ratus. By  far  the  greatest  consumption  is  in  the  manufacture  of  ful- 
minate and  drugs. 


Total  Quicksilver  Production  of  California. 

Total  amount  and  value  of  the  quicksilver  production  of  California, 
as  given  in  available  records,  is  shown  in  the  following  tabulation. 
Though  the  New  Almaden  Mine  in  Santa  Clara  County  was  first  worked 
in  1824,  and  has  been  in  practically  continuous  operation  since  1846 
(though  the  yield  was  small  the  first  two  years) ,  there  are  no  available 
data  on  the  output  earlier  than  1850.  Previous  to  June,  1904,  a  'flask' 
of  quicksilver  contained  76^  pounds,  but  since  that  date  75  pounds.  In 
compiling  this  table  the  following  sources  of  information  were  used: 
for  1850-1883,  table  by  J.  B.  Randol,  in  Report  of  State  Mineralogist, 
IV,  p.  336;  1883-1893,  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  reports;  1894  to  date, 
statistical  bulletins  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau;   also  State  Mining 


52 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Bureau,   Bulletin   27,    "Quicksilver   Resources   of   California,"    1908, 
p.  10: 


Year 

Flasks 

Value 

Average 

price  per 

flask 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

1 

Average 

price  per 

flask 

1850 

7,723 
27,779 
20,000 
22,284 
30,004 
33,000 
30,000 
28,204 
31,000 
13,000 
10,000 
35,000 
42,000 
40,531 
47,489 
53,000 
46,550 
47,000 
47,728 
33,811 
30,077 
31,686 
31,621 
27,642 
27,756 
50,250 
75,074 
79,396 
63,880 
73,684 
59,926 
60,851 
52,732 
46,725 
31,913 
32,073 
29,981 

$768,052 
1,859,248 
1,166,600 
1,235,648 
1,663,722 
1,767,150 
1,549,500 
1,374,381 
1,482,730 
820,690 
535,500 
1,471,750 
1,526,700 
1,705,544 
2,179,745 
2,432,700 
2,473,202 
2,157,300 
2,190,715 
1,551,925 
1,725,818 
1,999,387 
2,084,773 
2,220,482 
2,919,376 
4,228,538 
3,303,256 
2,961,471 
2,101,652 
2,194,674 
1,857,706 
1,815,185 
1,488,624 
1,343,344 
973,347 
986,245 
1,064,326 

$99  45 
66  93 
58  33 
55  45 
55  45 
53  55 
51  65 
48  73 
47  83 
63  13 
53  55 
42  05 

36  35 
42  08 
45  90 
45  90 
53  13 
45  90 
45  90 
45  90 
57  38 
63  10 
65  93 
80  33 

105  18 
84  15 
44  00 

37  30 
32  90 
29  85 
31  00 

29  83 
28  23 
28  75 

30  50 
30  75 
35  50 

1887 

33,760 
33,250 
26,464 
22,926 
22,904 
27,993 
30,164 
30,416 
36,104 
30,765 
26,691 
31,092 
29,454 
26,317 
26,720 
29,552 
32,094 
*28,876 
24,655 
19,516 
17,379 
18,039 
16,217 
17,665 
19,109 
20,600 
15,661 
11,373 
14,199 
21,427 
24,382 
22,621 
15,200 
10,278 
3,157 
3,466 
5,458 

1,430,749 

1,413,125 

1,190,880 

1,203,615 

1,036,406 

1,139,595 

1,108,527 

934,000 

1,337,131 

1,075,449 

993,445 

1,188,626 

1,405,045 

1,182,786 

1,285,014 

1,276,524 

1,335,954 

1,086,323 

886,081 

712,334 

663,178 

763,520 

773,788 

799,002 

879,205 

866,024 

630,042 

557,846 

1,157,449 

2,003,425 

2,396,466 

2,579,472 

1,353,381 

775,527 

140,666 

191,851 

332,851 

$42  38 

42  5fl 
45  OC 
52  5C 
45  23 
40  71 

36  75 
30  70 

37  04 

34  9C 

37  2« 

38  22 

47  7C 

44  94 

48  4« 

43  2C 
42  2£ 

37  62 

35  94 

36  5C 

38  IQ 
42  33 
47  71 

45  23 

46  01 
42  04 
40  23 

49  05 
81  52 
93  50 
98  29 

114  03 
89  04 
75  45 

44  56 
55  35 
60  98 

1851 

1888 

1852 

1889 

1853 

1890 

1854 

1891 

1855 _ _ 

1892 

1856 

1893 

1857 

1894 

1858 

1895 

1859 

1896 

1860  . 

1897 

1861 

1898 

1862 

1899 

1863  . 

1900 

1864 

1901 

1865 

1902 

1866.  

1903 

1867 

1904 

1868 

1905 

1869 

1906 

1870 

1907 

1871. __ 

1908 

1872 

1909 

1873.. 

1910 

1874 

1911 

1875 

1912 

1876  . 

1913 

1877 

1914 

1878 

1915 

1879.. 

1916 

1880. 

1917 

1881.. 

1918 

1882 

1919  _  _ 

1883 

1920 

1884 

1921 

1885 

1922 

1886  . 

1923 

Totals 

2,197,908 

$107,366,208 

♦Flasks  of  75  lbs.  since  June,  1904;  of  763^  lbs.  previously. 


SILVER. 


Bibliography:   State   Mineralogist   Reports   IV,   VIII,   XII-XIX 
(inc.).    Bulletins  67,  91.    Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  March  1,  1919. 

Except  for  the  silver  mines  of  the  Randsburg  district  in  San  Bernar 
dino  County  the  past  five  years,  the  production  of  silver  in  California 
is  largely  as  a  by-product  from  its  association  with  copper,  lead,  zinc, 
and  gold  ores.  As  explained  under  Gold,  the  State  Mining  Bureau  does 
not  collect  the  statistics  of  silver  production  independently  of  the  IJ.  S. 
Geological  Survey. 

The  average  price  of  domestic  silver  during  1923  was  82^  per  ounce 
at  New  York  as  compared  with  $1.00  (under  the  Pittman  Act)  in  1922 
and  1921,  and  54.8^  in  1914.  Purchases  of  silver  by  the  Government, 
under  the  Pittman  Act  ceased  after  June,  1923. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


53 


The  following  paragraph  is  quoted  from  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey, 
Advance  Chapter  on  1923,  by  courtesy  of  Mr.  J.  M.  Hill,  statistician  in 
charge  of  the  San  Francisco  branch  office : 

"Of  the  total  silver  output  of  California  in  1923  the  44  properties  producing 
over  1,000  ounces  contributed  99.16  per  cent.  At  22  properties  between  1,000  and 
5,000  ounces  were  produced,  at  11  mines  between  5,000  and  10,000  ounces,  at  7  mines 
between  10,000  and  50,000  ounces,  at  4  mines  between  100,000  and  200,00  ounces,  and 
at  only  1  property  (California  Rand  Silver,  Inc.)  was  more  than  2,500,000  ounces 
produced.  Of  the  mines  with  an  output  of  over  100,000  ounces  2  were  lead  mines  in 
Inyo  County  and  2  were  copper  mines  in  Plumas  County.  San  Bernardino  County 
held  first  rank  in  silver  production,  followed  by  Inyo,  Plumas,  and  Shasta  counties. 
The  10  largest  silver  producers  in  the  state,  named  in  order  of  rank,  were  California 
Rand  Silver,  Inc.  (Ag.),  Engels  Copper  Co.  (Cu.),  Walker  Mining  Co.  (Cu.),  Darwin 
Silver  Co.  (Pb.),  Tecopa  Consolidated  Mg.  Co.  (Pb.),  Zenda  Mg.  Co.  (Ag.),  Mammoth 
Copper  Co.  (Cu.),  Cerro  Gordo  Mines  Co.  (Pb),  Empire  Mines  Co.  (Au.),  Mountain 
Copper  Co.   (Cu.). 

"The  increase  in  the  quantity  of  silver  produced  in  California  in  1923  was  due 
largely  to  the  increased  shipments  from  the  Rand  silver  mines,  in  San  Bernardino 
County,  and  the  lead  ores  produced  in  Inyo  County,  though  the  Zenda  mine,  in  the 
Amelia  district,  Kern  County,  made  a  considerable  increase.  Notable  increases  in 
silver  production  were  also  made  in  Nevada,  Orange,  Shasta,  and  Trinity  counties. 

"The  output  of  silver  from  placer  mines  in  1923  was  20,305  ounces,  valued  at 
$16,650,  an  increase  of  4  per  cent  in  quantity  and  a  decrease  of  15  per  cept  in  value, 
as  compared  with  1922.  Dredges  saved  6  per  cent  more  and  surface  mines  63  per 
cent  more  silver  than  in  1922,  but  the  drift  arid  hydraulic  mines  each  made  31  per 
cent  less  silver  than  in  1922. 

"The  production  of  silver  from  deep  mines  in  1923  was  3,539,138  ounces,  valued 
at  $2,902,093,  an  increase  of  15  per  cent  in  quantity  but  a  decrease  of  6  per  cent  in 
value,  as  compared  with  1922.  The  Kelly  mine,  of  the  California  Rand  Silver,  Inc.,  at 
Randsburg,  was  by  far  the  largest  producer  of  silver  in  the  state.  Lead  ores  from 
Inyo  County  gave  the  second  largest  output  of  silver,  and  copper  ore  from  Plumas 
County  the  third  largest  contribution  to  the  total  silver  output  in  1923.  Dry  gold 
ores  gave  2.31  per  cent,  silver  ores  77.34  per  cent,  copper  ores  9.59  per  cent,  and 
lead  ores  9.28  per  cent  of  the  total  silver  yield.  The  recovery  of  silver  at  gold  and 
silver  mills  in  1923  was  4  per  cent,  and  smelters  recovered  96  per  cent  of  the  total. 
Concentrates  carried  72  per  cent,  and  ore  sent  direct  to  smelters  24  per  cent  of  the 
total  silver  produced  at  deep  mines." 

The  distribution  of  the  ,1923  silver  yield,  by  counties,  was  as  follows : 


Silver 

Production  1 

ay  Counties,  1923. 

Cotmty 

Value 

County 

Value 

Amador 

$15,153 

1,756 

7,316 

9 

185 

128 

12 

16,736 

265,023 

33,151 

54 

6 

541 

1,735 

3.120 

Nevada 

$30,534 
297 

Butte. 

Placer 

Calaveras 

Plumas 

243,970 

2,566 

2,225,959 

144 

Del  Norte 

Sacramento 

El  Dorado.. _ 

Fresno 

Humboldt 

Shasta 

47,706 

6,134 

298 

Imperial,  Orange,  Riverside* 

Sierra . 

Inyo. 

Siskiyou 

Kern 

833 

Lassen,  Merced,  Modoc* 

Trinity 

5,816 
2.801 
6,760 

Los  Angeles .  . 

Tuolumne 

Madera 

Yuba 

Total. 

Mono 

$2,918,743 

♦Combined  to  concearoutput'of  a'single  producer  in  each. 


Silver   Production   of  California,   by  Years. 

The  value  of  the  silver  produced  in  California  each  year  since  1880 
has  been  as  follows,  the  data  previous  to  1887  being  taken  from  the 


54 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


reports  of  the  Director  of  the  Mint.    There  are  no  data  available  for 
the  years  previous  to  1880 : 


Year 

Value 

Year 

Value 

1880. 

$1,140,556 

750,000 

845,000 

1.460,000 

(a)  4.185.101 

2,568,036 

1,610,626 

1,632,004 

1,700,000 

1,065,281 

1,060,613 

953,157 

463,602 

537,158 

297,332 

599,790 

422,464 

452,789 

414,055 

504,012 

(b)  724,500 

(b)  571,849 

1902 - 

$616,412 

1881 

1903 

517,444 

1882.. 

1904 

873,525 

1883 

1905     

678,494 

1884 

1906               

817,830 

1885 

1907-.. 

751,646 

1886 

1908. 

873,057 

1887. -  _ 

1909 

1,091,092 

1888 

1910      

993,646 

1889 

1911     .         ._  

673,336 

1890 

1912. 

799,584 

1891 

1913 

832,553 

1892 _ 

1914 

813,938 

1893.  . 

1915   

851,129 

1894 

1916                

1,687,345 

1895 

1917 

1,462,955 

1896 . 

1918 

1,427,861 

1897 

1919   

1,240,051 

1898 

1920      -     

1,859,896 

1899 

1921               .  

3,629,223 

1900 

1922... 

3,100,065 

1901 

1923 

2,918,743 

Total   -       

$52,467,750 

"  Lawyer,   A.   M.,    in   Production   of  Precious   Metals   in   United    States :  Report   of 
Director  of  Mint,   1884,  p.  175:   1885. 

^'Recalculated  to  'commercial'  from   'coining  value,'  as   originally  published. 


TIN. 

Bibliography :  Reports  XV,  XVII,  XVIII.    Bulletins  67,  91. 

Tin  is  not  at  present  produced  in  California;  but  during  1891-1892, 
there  was  some  output  from  a  small  deposit  near  Corona,  in  Riverside 
County,  as  tabulated  below.  Small  quantities  of  stream  tin  have  been 
found  in  some  of  the  placer  workings  in  northern  California,  but  never 
in  paying  amounts. 

Two  occurrences  have  also  been  noted,  in  northern  San  Diego  County. 
Crystals  of  cassiterite  were  found  there,  associated  with  blue  tourmaline 
crystals,  amblygonite  and  beryl.  No  commercial  quantity  has  been 
developed,  only  small  pockets  having  been  taken  out.  A  lode  deposit' 
has  recently  been  reported  as  found  in  Shasta  or  Siskiyou  County,  but 
not  as  yet  confirmed  officially. 

The  principal  sources  of  the  world's  supply  of  tin  are  the  islands 
of  Banka,  Billiton  and  Singkep,  Netherlands  India  (Dutch  East 
Indies),  followed  by  the  Federated  Malay  States  (Perak,  Pahang, 
Negri  Sembilan  and  Selangor).  Bolivia,  Siam,  Cornwall,  Transvaal, 
New  South  Wales,  Queensland  and  Tasmania  are  also  important 
sources.  A  measurable  amount  of  the  metal  is  also  recovered  by 
de-tinning  scrap  and  old  cans. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 
Total  Output  of  Tin  in  Cailfornia. 


55 


Tear 

Pounds 

Value 

1881    _ 

125,289 
126,000 

$27,504 
32,400 

1892   —               - .    —           

Totals _  _            

251,288 

$59,964 

TUNGSTEN. 

Bibliography:  Reports 'XV,  XVII,  XVIII.  Bulletins  38,  67,  91. 
U.  S.  G.  S.  Bull.  652.  Proc.  Colo.  Sci.  Soe.  Vol.  XI.  South 
Dakota  School  of  Mines,  Bulletin  No.  12.  Eng.  and  Min.  Jour.- 
Press,  Vol.  113,  pp.  666-669,  Apr.  22,  1922. 

Tungsten  ore  has  been  produced  in  California  principally  in  the 
Atolia-Randsburg  district  in  San  Bernardino  and  Kern  counties,  fol- 
lowed by  the  Bishop  district  in  Inyo  County,  with  small  amounts 
coming  from  Nevada  County  and  from  the  district  near  Goffs,  in 
eastern  San  Bernardino.  Most  of  the  California  tungsten  ore  is 
scheelite  (calcium  tungstate),  though  wolframite  (iron-manganese 
tungstate)  and  hiibnerite  (manganese  tungstate)  also  occur.  The 
deposits  at  Atolia  are  the  largest  and  most  productive  scheelite  deposits 
knovrn,^  and  the  output  has  in  some  years  equaled  or  exceeded  that  of 
ferberite  (iron  tungstate)  from  Boulder  County,  Colorado.  It  is  inter- 
esting in  this  connection  to  note  that,  in  practically  all  other  tungsten 
producing  districts  of  the  worlds  wolframite  is  the  important  con- 
stituent. Burma,  the  largest  producer,  reported  ^  for  1917-1919,  yields 
of  4537,  4443,  and  3577  tons  of  wolframite  concentrates,  respectively, 
most  of  which  was  obtained  from  placers,  in  part  associated  with  cas- 
siterite   (tin  oxide). 

Imports  of  foreign  tungsten  ores  and  alloys  into  the  United  States 
during  1923  amounted  to  275  long  tons,  valued  at  $215,580,  compared 
with  1665  long  tons  of  ore  valued  at  $281,251  in  1922,  1441  long  tons  at 
$276,757  in  1921,  1740  long  tons,  at  $779,593  in  1920,  8400  Ions:  tons 
at  $6,261,190  in  1919,  and  10,362  long  tons  valued  at  $11,409,237,  in 
1918,  which  ores  were  duty  free  up  to  September  22,  1922.  Owing  to 
lack  of  protection  against  the  cheap  coolie  labor  of  Asiatic  tungsten 
mines,  and  the  low  market  prices,  practically  all  of  the  tungsten  mines 
in  the  United  States  were  closed  down  from  the  middle  of  1919  to  the 
latter  part  of  1923.  Quotations  during  1922  ranged  around  $2.50  per 
unit,  up  to  September.  Present  quotations  are  $8.50-$9.00,  on  a  basis 
of  60%.  The  Tariff  Act  of  1922,  which  became  effective  September  22, 
1922,  placed  a  duty  on  tungsten  ore  or  concentrates  of  45^  per  pound 
on  the  metallic  tungsten  contained  therein.  Duties  are  also  provided 
for  imported  tungsten-bearing  alloys. 

lU.   S.   G.   S.,   Bull.   652,   p.    32. 

2U.   S.  Commerce  Reports,  No.   78,  April   5,   1921,  p.   95. 


56 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


The  value  of  the  ore  is  based  upon  the  content  of  tungstic  trioxide 
(WO3),  and  quotations  are  commonly  made  per  unit  (each  1%)  of 
WO 3  present. 

In  California  in  1920-1922,  there  was  no  output  of  tungsten,  neither 
of  ore  nor  concentrates,  for  the  first  time  since  the  beginning  of  tung- 
sten mining  in  this  state,  but  production  was  resumed  in  a  small  way 
late  in  1923.  There  will  be  some  further  increase  for  the  current  year, 
1924,  as  the  Atolia  company  has  given  leases  on  portions  of  its  ground. 
The  1923  yield  amounted  to  a  total  of  34  tons,  valued  at  $19,126.  The 
tonnages  here  shown  are  recalculated  to  a  basis  of  60%  WOg.  Con- 
centrates usually  carry  59%  to  63%  WO 3. 

The  metal,  tungsten,  is  used  mainly  in  the  steel  industry  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  electrical  appliances,  including  the  well-known  tung- 
sten filament  lamps.  Because  of  its  resistance  to  corrosion  by  acids,  it 
is  valuable  in  making  certain  forms  of  chemical  apparatus.  Its  employ- 
ment in  tool-steel  alloys,  permits  the  operation  of  cutting  tools,  such 
as  in  lathe  work,  at  a  speed  and  temperature  at  which  carbon  steel 
would  lose  its  temper — hence  the  name  'high  speed'  steels  for  these 
tungsten  alloys.  As  made  in  the  United  States,  tungsten  forms  13% 
to  20%  of  such  steels.  Some  chromium,  nickel,  cobalt,  or  vanadium, 
are  sometimes  also  included.  Tungsten  compounds  are  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  colors. 

Tungsten  is  introduced  into  the  molten  steel  charge,  either  as  the 
powdered  metal  or  as  ferro-tungsten  (containing  50%-85%  tungsten). 
The  specific  gravity  of  the  pure  metal,  19.3-21.4,  is  exceeded  only  by 
platinum,  21.5;  iridium,  22.4;  and  osmium,  22.5.  Its  melting  point  is 
3267°  C.  (5913°  F.),  being  higher  than  any  other  known  metal. 
Though  millions  of  tungsten  filament  lamrps  are  now  made,  the  wires 
are  so  fine  that  the  metal  they  contain  represents  but  a  few  tons  of 
tungsten  concentrates  annually. 


Total  Tungsten   Ore  Production   of  California. 

The  annual  amount  and  value  of  tungsten  ores  and  concentrates 
produced  in  California  since  the  inception  of  the  industry  is  given  here- 
with, with  tonnages  recalculated  to  60%  WO3 : 


Tear 

Tons  at 
60%WO« 

Value 

Year 

Tons  at 
60%WO8 

Value 

1905 

57 

485 
287 
105 
677 
457 
387 
572 
550 

$18,800 
189.100 
120.587 
37,750 
190.500 
208,245 
127,706 
206.000 
234,673 

1914 

420 

962 

21270 

2.466 

1.982 

214 

$180,575 
1,005,467 
4,571.521 
3.079,013 
2,832,222 
219.316 

1906 

1915 

1907 

1916 

1908 

1917 

1900 

1918  „ 

1910 

1919 

1911 

1920 

1912 

1923    . 

34 

i9,m 

1913 

Totals 

11,834 

$13,240,601 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


57 


VANADIUM. 

Bibliography:  Report  XV.     Bulletin  67.     Proc.  Colo.   Sci.   Soc., 
Vol.  XI.    U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bulletin  104. 

No  commercial  production  of  vanadium  has  yet  been  made  in  Cali- 
fornia. Occurrences  of  this  metal  have  been  found  at  Camp  Signal, 
near  Goffs,  in  San  Bernardino  County,  and  two  companies  at  one  time 
did  considerable  development  work  in  the  endeavor  to  open  up  paying 
quantities.  Each  had  a  mill  under  construction  in  1916,  but  apparently 
no  commercial  output  was  made.  Ore  carrying  the  mineral  cuprodes- 
cloizite  and  reported  as  assaying  4%  V2O5  was  opened  up.  Some  ore 
carrying  lead  vanadate  has  been  developed  in  the  29  Palms,  or  Washing- 
ton district,  on  the  line  between  Riverside  and  San  Bernardino  counties, 
but  no  shipments  reported. 

The  principal  use  of  vanadium  is  as  an  alloy  in  steels,  especially  in 
tool  steel,  and  in  those  varieties  where  resistence  to  repeated  strains  is 
required.  Present  New  York  quotations  for  vanadium  ore  are  @  $1.00- 
$1.25  per  pound  of  contained  V2O5    (guaranteed  minimum  of  18% 

ZINC. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XIV,  XV,  XVII,  XVIII. 
Bulletins  38,  67,  91. 

There  was  no  production  of  recoverable  zinc  reported  from  California 
ores  in  1923. 

The  zinc  ores  of  Shasta  and  Calaveras  counties  are  associated  with 
copper,  while  those  of  Inyo  and  San  Bernardino  are  associated  prin- 
cipally with  lead-silver  and  zinc-silver  ores. 

The  principal  uses  of  zinc  are  for  'galvanizing'  (plating  on  iron  to 
I  prevent  rust),  for  zinc  oxide  (used  in  rubber  goods  and  paint),  and  for 
brass  (an  alloy  of  copper  and  zinc).  These  outlets  for  the  metal  take 
approximately  80%  of  the  quantity  produced.  Of  the  remaining  20% 
a  large  portion  is  rolled  into  plates  and  sheets,  and  utilized  in  the 
building  industry  for  sheathing,  roofing,  leaders,  and  eaves-troughs. 
Zinc  is  particularly  desirable  and  efficient  for  roofing  and  siding  where 
corrosive  gases  are  present,  as  at  smelters,  refineries  and  chemical 
plants. 

Total  Zinc   Production   of  California. 

Total  figures  for  zinc  output  of  the  state  are  as  follows,  commercial 
production  dating  back  only  to  1906  : 


Tear 


Pounds 


Value 


1906  1      206,000  $12,566 

1907  177.759  10.598 

1908  54.000  3.544 

1909  ! 

1910  I 

1911  1    2,679.842  ;  152,751 

1912  1    4,331,391  !  298,866 

1913  „_ „J    1,157,947  I  64.845 

1914  399.641  i  20.381 

1915  J  13,043,411  1.617,^3 


$6,446,512 


58 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER    FOUR. 


STRUCTURAL  MATERIALS. 


BiUiography :  State  Mineralogist  Report  XII-XX    (inc.).     Bul- 
letin 38.    See  also  under  each  substance. 

As  indicated  by  this  subdivision  heading,  the  mineral  substances 
herein  considered  are  those  more  or  less  directly  used  in  building  and 
structural  work.  California  is  independent,  so  far  as  these  are  con- 
cerned, and  almost  any  reasonable  construction  can  be  made  with 
materials  produced  in  the  state.  This  branch  of  the  mineral  industry 
for  1923  was  valued  at  $53,782,362,  as  compared  with  a  total  value  of 
$36,992,001,  for  the  year  1922,  the  increase  being  due  to  continued 
activity  in  all  building  and  construction  operations. 

Deposits  of  granite,  marble  and  other  building  stones  are  distributed 
widely  throughout  this  state,  and  transportation  and  other  facilities 
are  gradually  being  extended  .so  that  the  growing  demand  may  be  met. 
The  largest  single  item,  cement,  has  had  an  interesting  record  of 
growth  since  the  inception  of  the  industry  in  California  about  1891. 
Not  until  1904  did  the  annual  value  of  cement  produced  reach  the 
million-dollar  mark,  following  which  it  increased  500%  in  nine  years; 
though  from  1914  to  1918  there  was  a  falling  off  common  to  all  build- 
ing materials.  The  1923  output  establishes  a  new  high-level  mark, 
both  in  quantity  and  value. 

Crushed  rock  production  is  yearly  becoming  more  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, due  to  the  strides  recently  taken  in  the  use  of  concrete,  as 
well  as  to  activity  in  the  building  of  good  roads.  Brick,  with  an  aver- 
age annual  output  for  a  number  of  years  worth  approximately 
$2,000,000,  had  difficulty  in  holding  its  own,  due  to  the  popularity  of 
cement  and  concrete.  In  1920,  however,  the  sales  increased  to  nearly 
double  the  previous  record  figure  of  the  year  1907,  with  only  a  slight 
decrease  in  1921;  but  1923  showed  advances  to  new  record  figures. 
This  item  will,  no  doubt,  continue  to  be  an  important  one,  and  a 
market  for  fire  and  fancy  brick  of  all  kinds  will  unquestionably  never 
be  lacking. 

Fifty-five  counties  contributed  to  this  structural  total  for  1923,  and 
there  is  not  a  county  in  the  state  which  is  not  capable  of  some  output 
of  at  least  one  of  the  materials  under  this  classification. 

The  following  summary  shows  the  value  of  the  structural  materials 
produced  in  California  during  the  years  1922-1923  with  increase  or 
decrease  in  each  instance. 


1922 

1923 

Increase+ 

Substance 

Amount 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Decrease— 
Value 

Bituininous  rock 

4,624  tons 

$13,570 

7,994,991 

16,524,056 

6,334 

676,643 

671,747 

594,665 

127,792 

3,320 

1,100 

* 

10,377,783 

2,945  tons 

$11,780 

9,738,082 

25,999,203 

1,658 

760,081 

788,834 

946,643 

124,919 

2,510 

13,000 

$1,790- 

1,743,091+ 

9,475,147+ 

4,676- 

83,438+ 

117,087-- 

351  978+ 

Brick  and  tile 

Cement 

8,962,135  bbls. 
379  tons 

10,825,405  bbls. 
84  tons 

Chromite 

Granite 

57,875  tons 
55,637  tons 
38,321  cu.  ft. 
10,950  cu.  ft. 
900  cu.  ft. 
* 

70,894  tons 
73,963  tons 
28,015  cu.  ft. 
14,220  cu.  ft. 
7,000  cu.  ft. 

Magnesite                        

Marble 

2,873- 

Onyx  and  travertine ._     

810- 

Sandstone 

11,900+ 

Slate         

Stone  miscellaneous 

15,395,652 

5,017,869+ 

Total  values                     

$36,992,001 

$53,782,362 

$16,790,361+ 

•Concealed  under  'Unapportioned.' 


STATISTICS  OF  ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


59 


ASPHALT. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VII,  X,  XII-XV  (inc.), 
XVII,  XVIII.    Bulletins  16,  32,  63,  67,  69,  91. 

Asphalt  wss  for  a  number  of  years  accounted  for  in  the  statistical 
reports  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  because  in  the  early  days  of  the  oil 
industry,  considerable  asphalt  was  produced  from  outcroppings  of  oil 
sand,  and  was  a  separate  industry  from  the  production  of  oil  itself. 
However,  at  the  present  time  most  of  the  asphalt  comes  from  the  oil 
refineries,  which  produce  a  better  and  more  uniform  grade;  hence,  its 
value  is  not  now  included  in  the  mineral  total,  as  to  do  so  would  be  in 
part  a  duplication  of  the  crude  petroleum  figures.  Such  natural  asphalt 
as  is  at  present  mined  is  in  the  form  of  bituminous  sandstones,  and  is 
recorded  under  that  designation. 


BITUMINOUS  ROCK. 


Bibliography 
XVIII. 


State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XV,  XVII, 


Small  amounts  of  bituminous  rock  are  still  occasionally  used  for  road 
dressing  in  those  districts  adjacent  to  available  deposits,  though  the 
manufacture  of  asphalt  at  the  oil  refineries  has  almost  eliminated  the 
direct  use  of  the  native  material.  During  1923,  a  total  of  2945  tons 
valued  at  $11,780  was  shipped  from  quarries  in  Santa  Barbara  and 
Santa  Cruz  counties,  compared  with  4624  tons  and  $13,570  in  1922. 
This  material  is  essentially  an  unoemented  sandstone  which  is  saturated 
with  and  held  together  b}^  a  natural  asphaltic  constituent  probably  the 
residue  from  the  evaporation  of  a  petroleum  deposit. 

The  following  tabulation  shows  the  total  amount  and  value  of 
bituminous  rock  quarried  and  sold  in  California,  from  the  records 
compiled  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  annually  since  1887 : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1887  

1888  

36,000 

50.000 

40,000 

40,000 

39.962 

24,000 

32,000 

31,214 

38,921 

49,456 

45,470 

46,836 

40.321 

25.306 

24.052 

33,490 

21,944 

45.280 

24.753  , 

i 
1 

$160,000 

257,000 

170,000 

170,000 

154,164 

72,000 

192.036 

115.193 

121.586 

122,500 

128.173 

137,575 

116,097 

71,495 

66.a>4 

43.411 

53,106 

175.680 

60.436 

1906  

1907  

1908  

1909  _  

16,077 

24.122 

30,718 

34.123 

87.547 

75.125 

44.073 

37.541 

66.119 

17.789 

19.449 

5.590 

2.561 

4.614 

5,450 

8.298 

4,624 

2,945 

$45,204 
72,835 

1889 

109.818 

1890 

116.436 

1891 

1892  

1893 

1910  

1911  

1912 

165,711 

117.279 

87,467 

1894 

1913  _  

78  479 

1895  

1896  

1897  

1898 . 

1914  

1915  

1916  ____ 

1917  -  - 

166,618 
61,468 
66,561 
18,580 

1899 

1918 

9.067 

1900  

1919  

1920  

1921  

1922  

18.537 

1901 

27.825 

1902  

1903 

43.192 
13.570 

1904 

1923  

11.780 

1905  

Totals 

1,175.770 

$3,617,233 

BRICK  and  TILE. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VIII,  X,  XII-XV  (inc.), 
XVII-XIX  (inc.).    Bulletin  38.    Preliminary  Report,  No.  7. 

Bricks  of  many  varieties  and  in  important  quantities  are  annually 
produced  in  California,  as  might  be  expected  in  a  state  with  such 


60  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

diversified  and  widespread  mineral  resources.  The  varieties  include 
common,  fire,  pressed,  glazed,  enamel,  fancy,  vitrified,  and  others. 
So  far  as  possible,  the  different  kinds  have  been  segregated  in  the 
tabulation  herewith  accompanying. 

We  also  include  under  this  heading  the  various  forms  of  hollow 
building  'tile'  or  blocks.  The  application  of  these  tile  to  residence 
construction  as  well  as  to  other  structures  is  growing;  and  their  total 
value  for  1923  shows  an  11%  increase  over  that  for  1922. 

The  aggregate  value  for  all  kinds  of  brick  in  1923  shows  an  increase 
of  23%  or  nearly  $2,000,000  over  the  1922  output.  Individually,  the 
various  groups  all  made  material  advances,  and  especially  common  brick 
which  increased  from  $4,363,629  in  1922  to  $5,194,527  in  1923.  The 
total  sales  of  common  brick  in  Los  Angeles  County  alone,  both  in  1922 
and  1923,  exceeded  the  entire  state's  total  of  common  for  1'921  (202,417 
M  and  $2,880,124).  This  item,  of  itself,  is  an  indication  of  the  con- 
tinued activity  in  construction  operations  during  the  past  year.  This, 
too,  even  in  the  face  of  the  increasing  use  of  reinforced  concrete  in 
structural  building. 

The  detailed  figures  of  brick  and  tile  production  for  1923,  by  counties, 
are  given  in  the  following  tabulation.  'Production'  in  this  case  means 
sales  of  product  of  California  manufacture;  and  'value'  is  net  price  at 
the  works,  f .  o.  b.  cars,  trucks,  or  boats. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


61 


II 

$705,591 
195,162 
68,375 
5,830,858 
103,428 
36,586 
96,132 
282,997 

718,872 

939,272 
347,870 
412,939 

<M 

II 

11 

1 

lllll 

J2     1      i"5      1 

i  i     i     i  iw 

1   !       I       I   I^ 

CO 

i 

1 

28,354 

53',  199' 

* 

40,981' 

1 

i 

if 

o 

> 

S    I    lo    I 

iilii 

ii  i  iii 

i  !    ;     is;'  i 

I    1         1         ■««    1 

1 

1 
< 

\  ta    '>       !    !       !       1       i 

1? 

1 

1 

1  i 

ii    i  gii 
i  i     i   *  i  i 

^ 

1 
«» 

a 
< 

"•  i"  i"  •  i  i  ^"  i  i 

S" 

o 

1 

$195,162 
68,375 
3,692,975 
103,428 
36,586 
96,132 
282,997 

718,872 

a 
§ 

a 

<5 

* 

11,979 
5,271 
281,932 
8,499 
2,584 
7,834 

22,514 

57,141 

1 

1 

Fresno 

Kern 

Los  Angeles 

San  Joaquin 

Santa  Clara 

Alameda,  Contra  Costa,  Humboldt,  Imperial,  Marin,  Sacramento,  San 
Diego,  Tehama,  Tulare* 

Amador,  Contra  Costa,  Fresno,  Placer,  Riverside,  Sacramento,  San 
Joaquin* 

Contra  Costa,  Fresno,  Merced,  Placer,  Riverside,  Sacramento* 

Fresno,  Merced,  Placer,  Riverside,  Sacramento,  San  Diego* 

H 

■^ 


as 


11 


1| 


62 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Brick  and  Tile  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Record  of  brick  production  in  the  state  has  been  kept  since  1893  by 
this  Bureau,  the  figures  for  building  tile  being  also  included  since  1914. 
The  annual  and  total  figures,  for  amount  and  value,  are  given  in  the 
following  table: 


Year 

Brick.  M 

Building 

blocks. 

tons 

Value 

1893       - 

103.900 

81.675 

131.772 

24.000 
97.468 
100,102 
125,950 
137,191 
130,766 
169,851 
214,403 
281,750 
286,618 
277,762 
362,167 
332,872 
333,846 
340,883 
327,474 
337,233 
358,754 
270,791 
180,538 
206,960' 
192,269 
136,374 
156,328 
245,842 
238,022 
374,853 
397.754 

1 

$801,750 

1894    .         _. 

457125 

1895           «  __ ._ 

672  360 

1896 

524.740 

1897  _ 

568,240 

1898  __ - 

571,362 

1899 

754,730 

1900 

905,210 

1901 

860,488 

1902 

1,306,215 

1903 

1,999,546 

1904 

1,994  740 

1905 

2,273,786 

1906  _- 

2,538,848 

1907 

3,438,951 

1908 

2,506,495 

1909 _.   . 

3  059,929 

1910  __-_ 

2,934,731 

1911  _  , 

2638121 

1912 

2,940,290 

1913 

2,915,350 

1914 

2,288,227 

1915 

1,678,756 

1916 

2,096,570 

1917  „ 

1918 ._   _ 

29.348 

34,818 
36,026 
99,208 
67,100 
105,909 
122,534 

2,532,721 
2,363,481 

1919 ___   _ 

3  087,067 

1920  __ 

5.704,393 

1921  __  __ 

5,570,875 

1922 

1923  

7.994,991 
9,738,082 

Totals ^ 

6,956,168 

494,943 

$79,713,170 

CEMENT. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  YIII,  IX,  XII,  XIV, 
XV,  XVII,  XVIII.     Bulletin  38. 

Cement  is  the  most  important  single  structural  material  in  the  output 
of  the  state.  During  1923,  there  was  produced  a  total  of  10,825,405 
barrels,  valued  at  $25,999,203  f .  o.  b.  plant,  being  an  increase  both  in 
quantity  and  value  over  that  of  any  previous  year  in  the  history  of  the 
cement  industry  in  California.  As  in  the  preceding  two  years,  the 
output  came  from  nine  operating  plants  in  seven  counties,  and  in  1923 
employing  a  total  of  3448  men. 

The  three  plants  in  San  Bernardino  County,  in  1923,  made  a  total  of 
3,554,764  barrels  of  cement,  valued  at  $8,478,612,  the  balance  of  the 
staters  product  coming  collectively  from  a  single  plant  in  each  of  the 
following  counties:  Contra  Costa,  Kern,  Riverside,  San  Benito,  Santa 
Cruz,  and  Solano.  Two  new  plants  are  under  construction,  one  at 
Merced  in  Merced  County  and  the  other  at  Redwood  City,  San  Mateo 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


63 


County,  both  of  which  are  expected  to  be  in  operation  before  the 
close  of  the  current  year  (1924).  The  last  named  will  utilize  deposits 
of  marine  shells  from  the  shores  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 
.  -'Portland'  cement  was  first  commercially  produced  in  California  in 
1891;  though  in  1860  and  for  several  years  following,  a  natural 
hydraulic  cement  from  Benicia  was  utilized  in  building  operations  in 
San  Francisco. 

1  "The  Benicia  Cement  Company  in  1859-60  was  turning  out  50  to  100  barrels  of 
cement  a  day  and  San  Francisco  was  using  about  12,000  barrels  a  year.  The  mill 
price  of  the  product  was  then  $4  a  barrel.  By  1865,  the  San  Francisco  rate  of 
consumption  had  increased  to  100,000  barrels  yearly,  brick  buildings  largely  taking 
the  place  of  frame  structures,  and  the  price  of  cement  had  fallen  to  $2.50  a  barrel, 
about  the  same  as  it  is  today." 

The  growth  of  the  industry  became  rapid  after  1902;  since  which 
time  cement  has  continued  to  be  an  important  factor  in  the  industrial 


Plant  of  Monolith  Portland  Cement  Company  at  Monolith,  Kern  County, 

life  of  the  state.  Although  the  total  cement  figures,  to  date,  are  not 
of  the  same  magnitude  as  those  for  gold  and  petroleum,  it  is  interesting 
to  note  that  the  value  of  California's  cement  yield  beginning  with 
1920  has  since  annually  exceeded  the  value  of  her  gold  output.  The 
1923  figures  are  a  new  high  record  for  cement. 

According  to  reports  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  California 
ranks  third  as  a  cement  producer,  being  surpassed  only  by  Pennsylvania 
and  Indiana;  but  our  net  increase  in  the  period  1910-1923  (inc.)  has 
been  exceeded  only  by  Pennsylvania.  In  per  capita  consumption,  how- 
ever, California  leads  all  others  with  an  average  in  1923  of  2.69  barrels 
as  against  the  average  of  1.21  barrels  for  the  entire  United  States. 


Monthly  Review,  of  Mercantile  Trust  Co.  of  Cal.,  Vol.  XIII,  No.  3,  p.  55,  Mar.  1924. 


64 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Cement  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Annual  production  of  cement  in  California  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 


1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 


Barrels 

Value 

5.000 

$15,000 

5.000 

15,000 

8.000 

21,600 

16.383 

32,556 

9,500 

28,250 

18.000 

66.000 

50.000 

150,000 

60,000 

180,000 

52.000 

121,000 

71,800 

159,842 

171.000 

423,600 

640.868 

968,727 

969,538 

1,539,807 

1.265,553 

1.791,916 

1,286,000 

1,941,250 

1,613,563 

2.585,577 

Year 


1908  _. 

1909  _. 

1910  _. 

1911  -. 

1912  __ 

1913  .. 
1914. _. 

1915  _. 

1916  _. 

1917  _. 

1918  _. 

1919  - 

1920  _. 

1921  _. 

1922  _. 
1923- 


Totals 100,278,892 


Barrels 


1,629,615 
3,779,205 
5,453,193 
6,371,369 
6,198,634 
6.167.806 
5,109,218 
4,918,275 
5,299,507 
5,790.734 
4,772,921 
4,645.289 
6,709,160 
7,404.221 
8,962,135 
10,825,405 


Value 


$2,359,692 

4.969.437 

7,485,715 

9,085,625 

6,074,661 

7,743,024 

6,558,148 

6,044,950 

6,210,293 

7,544,282 

7,969,909 

8.591,990 

14,962,945 

18,072,120 

16,524,056 

25,999,203 


$166,236,165 


CHROMITE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  XII,  XIII,  XIV, 
XV,  XVII,  XVIII.  Bulletins  38,  76,  91.  Preliminary  Report 
3.    U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  430.    Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  114,  p.  552. 

Chromic  iron  ore,  or  chromite,  to  the  amount  of  78  short  tons  of  all 
grades  (or  84  tons,  recalculated  to  a  basis  of  45%  Cr203),  valued  at 
$1,658  f .  0.  b.  shipping  point,  was  sold  in  California  during  the  year 
1923.  The  ore  shipped  analyzed  from  45%  to  50%  Cr203  and  came 
from  mines  in  Placer  and  San  Luis  Obispo  counties,  being  utilized  for 
refractory  purposes. 

As  will  be  noted  from  the  tabulation  below,  chromite  mining  in  Cali- 
fornia since  the  World  War  has  all  but  become  extinguished;  and  the 
immediate  future  is  not  encouraging,  unless  a  local  or  Pacific  coast 
market  develops  for  it.  Development  of  the  steel  industry  and  the 
resumption  of  copper  smelting  may  create  some  demand  for  California 
chromite. 


Occurrence. 

Until  1916,  when  some  shipments  were  made  from  Oregon  and 
smaller  amounts  from  Maryland,  Wyoming  and  Washington,  practi- 
cally our  only  domestic  production  of  chromite  for  many  years  came 
from  California.  From  1820  to  1860  the  deposits  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland  supplied  the  world's  consumption. 

Chromite  is  widely  distributed  in  California,  the  principal  produc- 
tion, thus  far,  having  come  from  El  Dorado,  San  Luis  Obispo,  Del 
Norte,  Shasta,  Siskiyou,  Placer,  Fresno,  and  Tuolumne  counties.  In 
1918  a  total  of  29  counties  contributed  to  the  state's  output.  There 
are  two  main  belts  in  California  yielding  this  mineral,  one  along 
the  Coast  Ranges  from  San  Luis  Obispo  County  to  the  Oregon  line, 
including  the  Klamath  Mountains  at  the  north  end,  and  the  other  in 
the  Sierra  Nevada  from  Tulare  County  to  Plumas  County.  Chromite 
occurs  as  lenses  in  basic  igneous  rocks  such  as  peridotite  and  pyroxe- 
nite,  and  in  serpentines  which  have  been  derived  by  alteration  of  such 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


65 


basic  rocks.  For  the  most  part,  so  far  as  developiiuents  have  yet 
shown,  the  lenses  have  proved  to  be  small,  relatively  few  of  them 
\  ielding  over  100  tons  apiece.  A  notable  exception  to  this  was  the 
deposit  on  Little  Castle  Creek,  near  Dunsmuir,  from  which  upwards 
of  15,000  tons  was  shipped  before  it  was  exhausted.  Deposits  worked 
in  Del  Norte  County  during  1918  promised  well  for  a  large  tonnage. 
On  the  whole  the  orebodies  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  state 
appear  to  average  larger  in  size  than  the  chromite  lenses  in  other  parts 
of  California. 

Concentration  became  an  accomplished  fact  in  several  localities,  thus 
utilizing  some  of  the  disseminated  and  lower-grade  orebodies  which 
have  been  found.  In  fact,  an  important  part  of  the  1918-1920  pro- 
duction came  from  that  source. 

Imports.  . 

Importations  of  foreign  chromite,  mainly  from  Rhodesia,  New 
Caledonia,  and  India,  totaled  128,763  long  tons  in  1923,  valued  at 
$1,123,120  compared  with  90,081  tons  and  $741,186  in  1922. 

The  major  consumption  of  chromite  ore  is  for  use  as  a  refractory 
lining  in  smelting  furnaces  for  steel  and  copper.  A  smaller  portion 
is  used  in  the  preparation  of  ferro-chrome  for  chrome-steel  alloys,  and 
of  chromium  chemicals. 


Total   Chromite   Production  of  California. 

Production  of  chromite  in  California  began,  apparently,  about  1874, 
principally  in  San  Luis  Obispo  County.  There  was  considerable 
activity  from  1880  to  1883,  inclusive,  and  a  total  of  23,238  long  tons 
(or  26,028  short  tons),  valued  at  $329,924  was  shipped  from  that 
county  up  to  the  beginning  of  1887.  Some  ore  also  was  shipped  from 
the  Tj^son  properties  in  Del  Norte  County.  The  tabulation  herewith 
shows  the  output  of  chromite  in  California,  annually,  including  the 
earliest  figures  so  far  as  they  are  available.  The  figures  from  1887  to 
date  are  from  the  records  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1874-1886    (San    Luis 

26,028 
3,000 
1,500 
2,000 
3,599 
1,372 
1,500 
3.319 
3,680 
1,740 
786 

$329,924 
40.000 
20,000 
30,000 
53.985 
20,580 
22,500 
49,785 
39.980 
16.795 
7,775 

1905 . 

40 
317 

302 

350 

436 

749 

935 

1.270 

1.180 

1.517 

3.725 

48.943 

52.379 

73.955 

*4.314 

1.770 

347 

379 

84 

$600 
2.859 
6040 

Obispo  Co.)  ___ 

1906 ._„. 

1887 

1907  _-_ 

1888 

1908 _ 

6195 

1889 

1909 

5309 

1890 

1910 

9.707 
14  197 

1891 

1911  _,___ 

1892 

1912 

11.260 

1893 _ 

1913    - 

12.700 
9434 

1894  _._ 

1914 _•„ 

1895 

1915 

38.044 
717.244 

1896 

1916 

1897 

1917 ___ 

1918 

1,130.298 

3,649.497 

97.164 

43,031 

6.870 

6.334 

1.658 

1898 „_„ 

1899 



1919 

1900 

140 
130 
315 
150 
123 

1,400 
1.950 
4.725 
2.250 
1.845 

1920 

1901 

1921  _._ 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1922 ,. 

1923 

Totals 

242.374 

$6,412,485 

•Recalculated  to  45%  CraOa,  beginning  with  1919. 
5 — 35173 


66  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

GRANITE. 

Bihliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  X,  XII--XVIII   (inc.).' 
Bulletin  38. 

The  value  of  the  granite  output  of  California  for  1923  was  the 
highest  recorded  for  any  year  since  1892  with  the  exception  of  the 
year  1913,  due  mainly  to  the  increase  in  shipments  of  stone  for 
'monumental'  and  decorative  purposes.  This  group  increased  from 
a  total  of  61,931  cubic  feet  valued  at  $204,832  in  1922  to  119,239  cubic 
feet  worth  $428,198  in  1923.  The  building  stone  group  showed  an 
increase  in  quantity  but  a  decrease  in  total  value.  The  net  result 
was  an  increase  in  total  value  of  the  several  groups  from  $676,643  to 
$760,081.  We  have  included  under  this  heading  some  rhyolite  and 
tuff  utilized  for  dimension  building  stone,  as  we  have  no  other  dimen- 
sion stone  grouping  for  statistical  purposi^s  in  this  report  except 
marble  and  sandstone. 

Crushed  rock,  rubble,  and  paving  blocks  derived  from  granite 
quarries  are  given  under  the  heading  of  'Miscellaneous  Stone.' 

So  far  as  possible,  granite  production  has  been  segregated  in  the 
table  herewith  into  the  various  uses  to  which  the  product  was  put.  It 
will  be  noted,  however,  that  a  portion  of  the  output  has  been  entered 
under  the  heading  '  unclassified. '  This  is  necessary  because  of  the  fact 
that  some  of  the  producers  have  no  way  of  telling  to  what  specific  use 
their  stone  was  put  after  they  had  quarried  and  sold  the  same  in  the 
rough. 

Varieties. 

For  building  purposes,  the  granites  found  in  California,  particularly 
the  varieties  from  Eaymond  in  Madera  County,  Rocklin  in  Placer 
County,  and  near  Porterville  in  Tulare  County,  are  unexcelled  by  any 
similar  stone  found  elsewhere.  The  quantities  available,  notably  at 
Raymond  and  Porterville,  are  unlimited.  Most  of  California's 
'granite,'  particularly  that  found  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  is 
technically  'granodiorite'  (that  is,  both  plagioclase  and  orthoclase 
feldspars  are  present). 

Granites  of  excellent  quality  for  building  and  ornamental  purposes 
are  also  quarried  in  Riverside  and  San  Diego  counties.  Near  Lakeside, 
San  Diego  County,  there  is  a  fine  grained,  'silver  gray'  granite  of 
uniform  texture  and  color,  especially  suited  for  monumental  and 
ornamental  work. 

The  Fresno  County  stone  is  a  dark,  hornblende  diorite,  locally  called 
'black  granite,'  whose  color  permits  of  a  fine  contrast  of  polished  and 
unpolished  surfaces,  making  it  particularly  suitable  for  monumental 
and  decorative  purposess  There  is  also  a  similar  'black  granite'  in 
Tulare  County,  near  Success. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


67 


68 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Granite   Production   of  California,  by  Years. 

The  value  of  granite  produced,  annually,  since  1887,  has  been  as 
follows : 


Tear 

Value 

Year 

Value 

1887 

$150,000 

57.000 

1,329,018 

1,200.000 

1,300,000 

l.OOO.OOO 

531,322 

228,816 

224,329 

201,004 

188.024 

147,732 

141,070 

295,772 

519,285 

255,239 

678,670 

467.472 

353.837 

1906 

$^44,083 
373,376 
512,923 

1888 - 

1907     -         -   - 

1889 

1908 

1890 _- - 

1909 

376,834 

1891  

1910 

417.898 
355,742 

1892 _ 

1911 

1893 _ 

1912 

362,975 

1894 _ 

1913 

981,277 

1895 

1914 

628,786 

1896 

1915 

227,928 

1897  _ _ 

1916 

535  339 

1898 _ _ 

1917 

221,997 

1899 

1918 

139,861 

1900 

1919 

220,743 

1901  _ 

1920 

495,732 

1902  .__ _ 

1921 

725,901 

1903 _. 

1922  _ 

4923  

676,643 

1904  

760,081 

1905 

Total    

$17,626,709 

LIME. 

Bibliography :  Reports  XIV,  XV,  XVII,  XVIII.     Bulletin  38. 

Lime  to  the  amount  of  70,894  tons,  valued  at  $788,834,  was  produced 
by  nine  plants  in  six  counties  during  1922,  as  compared  with  57,875 
tons  valued  at  $671,747  in  1922.  There  were  two  plants  each,  in 
Kern,  San  Bernardino,  and  Santa  Cruz  counties,  and  one  each  in 
Shasta,  Siskiyou,  and  Tuolumne  County.  Previous  to  this  present 
report  the  lime  output  has  been  recorded  in  'barrels';  but  as  that 
unit  is  variable,  and  as  most  of  the  operators  are  now  reporting  in 
'tons',  we  have  adopted  the  short  ton  instead  and  have  converted  the 
figures  in  the  table  of  annual  production  to  that  unit,  as  shown  below. 

So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  segregate  the  data,  these  figures  include 
only  such  lime  as  is  used  in  building  operations.  A  portion  is  hydrated 
lime.  Limestone  utilized  in  sugar  making,  for  smelter  flux,  as  a 
fertilizer,  and  other  special  industrial  uses,  are  classified  under  'Indus- 
trial Materials.'  That  consumed  in  cement  manufacture  is  included  in 
the  value  of  cement. 

Reports  from  the  San  Francisco  district  indicate  that  the  market 
there  is  being  adversely  affected  by  the  importation  of  Canadian  lime 
against  which  there  is  an  inadequate  duty. 

Lime  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

The  following  tabulation  gives  the  amounts  and  value  of  lime  pro- 
duced in  California  by  years  since  1894  when  compilation  of  such 
records  was  begun  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau: 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


69 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1894 

37,350 
39.776 
30,275 
28,780 
29,786 
29.985 
31.252 
31.738 
44,866 
49,659 
57,945 
61.700 
68.927 
68,422 
39,639 

$318,700 
386,094 
261,505 
252,900 
254,010 
314,575 
283,699 
334.688 
369,616 
418.280 
571.749 
555,322 
763,060 
756,376 
379,243 

1909 

52,075 
47,951 
42,959 
52,212 
61,344 
43,996 
35,653 
49.364 
50.073 
43,684 
42.070 
46.314 
46.353 
57.875 
70.894 

$577,824 

1895 

1910 

477,683 

1896  

1911. 

390,988 

1897         

1912 

464,440 

1898 

1913 - 

528,547 

1899 

1914 

378,663 

1900 

1915 

286,304 

1901 

1916   

390,475 

1902   

1917___ 

311,380 

1903         

1918 - - 

461,315 

1904 

1919 

552.043 

1905 

1920 

557.232 

1906 

1921 -_- 

610.619 

1907-. : 

1922 

671.747 

1908 

1923 - 

788.834 

Totals-- 

1,392,917 

$13,667,911 

MAGNESITE. 

Bibliography.  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XV  (inc.),  XVII- 
XX.  Bulletin  38.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bulletins  355,  540;  Min.  Res. 
1913,  Pt.  II,  pp.  450-453.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  114,  p.  237. 
''Magnesite*' — Hearings  before  the  Comm.  on  Ways  and  Means, 
House  of  Repr.,  on  H.  R.  5218,  June  16,  17  and  July  17,  1919. 
Eng.  Soc.  W.  Penn.,  Proc.  1913,  Vol.  29,  pp.  305-388,  418-444. 
Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  114,  July  29,  and  Dec.  2,  1922. 

The  production  of  magnesite  in  California  during  1923  amounted 
to  a  total  of  73,963  tons  of  crude  ore  valued  at  $946,643.  Only  a  small 
part  of  it  was  sold  'crude,'  however,  as  it  is  practically  all  shipped 
in  the  calcined  form.  The  reports  at  hand  show  a  total  of  30,294  tons 
shipped  calcined,  of  which  3,475  tons  were  dead-burned  and  sold  for 
refractory  purposes,  the  balance  going  to  the  plastic  trade.  From  2 
to  2J  tons  of  crude  material  are  mined  to  make  one  ton  of  the  calcined. 
The  1923  output  is  an  increase  both  in  quantity  and  value  over  the 
1922  figures  of  55,637  tons  crude  valued  at  $594,665.  The  average 
of  the  values  reported  for  1923  is  $12.80  per  ton,  as  against  $10.50  for 
1922. 

The  more  important  producing  properties  in  1923  were:  Maltby 
No.  1  (Western  Magnesite  Development  Co.,  operated  under  lease  by 
C.  S.  Maltby)  on  Red  Mountain,  Santa  Clara  County;  and  the  Sierra 
Magnesite  Company's  group  near  Porterville,  Tulare  County;  followed, 
in  order,  by  the  Sampson  Peak  Mine  (Maltby  No.  3),  San  Benito 
County,  IMaltby  No.  2  in  Chiles  Valley,  Napa  County,  and  the  Cali- 
fornia Magnesite  Co.  (old  Harker  mine)  at  Porterville.  Lesser 
amounts  were  reported  mined  in  Stanislaus,  Tuolumne  and  Fresno 
counties,  in  the  order  named.  Descriptions  of  recent  operations  at 
most  of  the  above-mentioned  properties  were  given  by  the  writer,  in 
the  January,  1924,  issue  of  'Mining  in  California'.^ 

^  Bradley.  W.  W.,  District  reports  of  mining  engineers ;  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report 
XX  of  State  Mineralogist,   pp.   23,   26-31,   Jan.   1924. 


70  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

The  increase  in  value  for  1923  is  due  in  part  to  the  somewhat  higher 
prices  prevailing  as  compared  to  1922.  On  the  whole,  the  magnesite 
industry  is  in  a  fairly  satisfactory  condition;  the  market  is  firm,  and 
the  use  of  this  material,  particularly  the  plastic  form,  is  increasing 
on  the  Pacific  Coast.  Because  of  high  freight  rates,  California  can 
not  compete  in  the  Atlantic  sea-board  states  with  foreign  importations, 
but  can  -at  least  hold  its  own  as  far  east  as  the  Mississippi  River,  under 
present  conditions. 

Distribution  of  the  1923  product,  by  counties,  was  as  follows: 

County  Tons  Value 

Santa  Clara 36,390  $472,620 

Tulare     24,058  298,272 

Fresno,  Napa,  San  Benito,  Stanislaus,  Tuolumne* 13,515  175,751 


Totals 73,963  $946,643 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

Occurrence. 

Magnesite  is  a  natural  carbonate  of  magnesium,  and  when  pure  con- 
tains 52.4%  CO2  (carbon  dioxide)  and  47.6%  MgO  (magnesia).  It  has 
a  hardness  of  3.5  to  4.5,  and  specific  gravity  of  3  to  3.12.-  It  is  both 
harder  and  heavier  than  calcite  (calcium  carbonate),  and  also  contains 
a  higher  percentage  of  CO2  as  calcite  has  but  44%. 

Most  of  the  California  magnesite  is  comparatively  pure,  and  is  ordi- 
narily a  beautiful,  white,  fine-grained  rock  with  a  conchoidal  fracture 
resembling  a  break  in  porcelain.  The  Grecian  magnesite  is  largely  of 
this  character;  but  the  Austrian  varieties  usually  contain  iron,  so 
that  they  become  brown  after  calcining.  The  Washington  magnesite 
resembles  dolomite  and  some  crystalline  limestones  in  physical  appear- 
an<ie.     Its  color  varies  through  light  to.  dark  gray,  and  pink. 

In  California  the  known  deposits  are  mostly  in  the  metamorphic  rocks 
of  the  Coast  Ranges  and  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  being  associated 
with  serpentine  areas.  The  notable  exceptions  are  the  sedinDentary 
deposits,  at  Bissell  in  Kern  County  and  at  Afton  in  San  Bernardino 
County.  Several  thousand  tons  have  been  shipped  from  the  Bissell 
deposit ;  and  small  shipments  have  been  made  from  the  Afton  property. 

The  Washington  deposits  are  associated  with  extensive  strata  of 
dolomitic  limestone.  The  magnesite  there  appears  to  contain  more  iron 
than  most  of  the  California  mineral,  which  makes  it  desirable  for  the 
steel  operators.  However,  recent  experience  has  proved  that  several 
California  localities  have  sufficient  iron  in  their  magnesite  to  be  service- 
able in  the  steel  furnaces.  This  is  particularly  true  of  the  Refractory 
Magnesite  Company's  mine  near  Preston  in  Sonoma  County,  the  White 
Rock  Mine  at  Pope  Valley  and  the  Blanco  Mine  in  Chiles  Valley,  Napa 
County.  There  is  some  also  at  the  Sampson  Peak  property  in  San 
Benito  County. 

Uses. 

The  principal  uses  include :  Refractory  linings  for  basic  open-hearth 
steel  furnaces,  copper  reverberatories  and  converters,  bullion  and  other 
metallurgical  furnaces ;  in  the  manufacture  of  paper  from  wood  pulp ; 
and  in  structural  work,  for  exterior  stucco,  for  flooring,  wainscoting, 
tiling,  sanitary  kitchen  and  hospital  finishing,  etc.  In  connection  with 
building  work  it  has  proved  particularly  efficient  as  a  flooring  for  steel 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   i*RODUCTION.  71 

railroad  coaches,  on  account  of  having  greater  elasticity  and  resilience 
than  'Portland'  cement.  For  refractory  purposes  the  magnesite  is 
'dead  burned' — i.  e.,  all  or  practically  all  of  the  COg  is  expelled  from  it. 
For  cement  purposes  it  is  left  'caustic' — i.  e.,  from  2%  to  10%  of  COg 
is  retained.  When  dry  caustic  magnesite  is  mixed  with  a  solution  of 
magnesium  chloride  (MgClg)  in  proper  proportions,  a  very  strong 
cement  is  produced,  known  as  oxychloride  or  Sorel  cement.  It  is 
applied  in  a  plastic  form,  which  sets  in  a  few  hours,  as  a  tough,  seam- 
less surface.  It  has  also  a  \qvj  strong  bonding  power,  and  will  hold 
firmly  to  wood,  metal,  or  concrete  as  a  base.  It  may  be  finished  with 
;i  very  smooth,  even  surface,  which  will  take  a  good  wax  or  oil  polish. 
As  ordinarily  mixed  there  is  added  a  certain  proportion  of  wood 
tiour,  cork,  asbestos,  or  other  filler,  thereby  adding  to  the  elastic 
properties  of  the  finished  product.  Its  surface  is  described  as  'warm' 
and  'quiet'  as  a  result  of  the  elastic  and  nonconducting  character  of 
the  composite  material.  The  cement  is  frequently  colored  by  the 
addition  of  some  mineral  pigment  to  the  materials  before  mixing  as 
cement. 

For  refractory  purposes  the  calcined  magnesite  is  largely  made  up 
into  bricks  similar  to  fire-brick  for  furnace  linings.  It  is  also  used 
unconsolidated,  as  'grain'  magnesite.  For  such,  an  iron  content  is 
desirable,  as  it  allows  of  a  slight  sintering  in  forming  the  brick.  Dead- 
burned,  pure,  magnesia  can  not  be  sintered  except  at  very  high  tempera- 
tures; and  it  has  little  or  no  plasticity,  so  that  it  is  hard  to  handle.  Its 
plasticity  is  said  to  be  improved  by  using  with  it  some  partly  calcined 
or  caustic  magnesite.  Heavy  pressure  will  bind  the  material  sufficiently 
to  allow  it  to  be  sintered. 

A  coating  of  crushed  magnesite  is  laid  on  hearths  used  for  heating 
steel  stock  for  rolling,  to  prevent  the  scale  formed  from  attacking  the 
fire-brick  of  the  hearth. 

Imports  and    Domestic   Production. 

Reports  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce 
show  imports  of  calcined  magnesite  to  have  been  172,591  long  tons  in 
1913;  144,747  in  1914,  and  63,347  in  1915;  most  of  it  coming  from 
Austria-Hungary  and  some  from  Greece.  For  the  same  years  the  pro- 
duction of  crude  (from  2  to  2^  tons  of  crude  ore  required  to  yield 
one  ton  of  the  calcined)  magnesite  in  California  (the  sole  producer  of 
those  years,  in  the  United  States)  was:  9632  short  tons,  11,438  tons, 
30,721  tons,  respectively.  For  1916  the  California  output  leaped  to 
154,052  tons  of  crude  and  to  209,648  tons  in  1917,  but  following  which 
it  dropped  considerably  on  account  of  resumption  of  foreign  importa- 
tions, which  totaled  52,483  long  tons  in  1921,  valued  at  $776,384  being 
then  admitted  duty  free.  Shipments  from  Washington  were  begun 
late  in  1916;  and  during  the  following  three  years  assumed  important 
proportions. 

The  Tariff  Act  of  1922,  which  became  effective  September  22d,  of 
that  year,  placed  the  following  import  duties  on  magnesite:  Crude 
magnesite  %6^  per  lb.,  caustic-calcined  magnesite  %^  per  lb. ;  dead- 
burned  and  grain  magnesite,  not  suitable  for  manufacture  into  oxy- 
chloride cements,  2%o^  per  lb.;  magnesite  brick,  %^  per  lb.  and  10% 
ad  valorem.  The  figures  of  imports  for  1923  as  published  by  the 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce,  show  a  total  of 


72 


MINERATi    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


i^^l^WB 

^^^m^' 

Mm.:  ,             ^  ' - 

,      .>:N     :^           '' 

OT""  3|p-"*"*S,  j> -. 

/"T*"^^ 

m*^^Mkmm^i               '  \-^A                                     /^^^^B^lmmm^.. 

H^fe^***^,.*-  ,^g^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m0&J- 

Calcining  plant  at  Maltby  No.  2  Magnesite  Mine,  Chiles  Valley,  Napa  County, 
California.     Producing  dead-burned  magnesite  in  a  rotary  kiln. 


Calcining  plant  at  the  Sampson  Magnesite  Mine,  west  of  Idria,  San  Benito  County, 
California.     Producing  dead-burned  magnesite  in  a  rotary  kiln. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


73 


76,813  long  tons  of  calcined  ore  valued  at  $1,132,113,  as  compared 
with  119,690  long  tons  and  $2,253,227  in  1922. 

Total    Magnesite   Production  of  California. 

The  first  commercial  production  of  magnesite  in  California  was  made 
in  the  latter  part  of  1886  from  the  Cedar  Mountain  district,^  southeast 
of  Livermore,  Alameda  County.  Shipments  amounting  to  '  several  tons ' 
or  'several  carloads'  were  sent  by  rail  to  New  York;  but  there  is  appar- 
ently no  exact  record  of  the  amount  for  tha!  first  year.  The  statistical 
records  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau  began  with  the  year  1887,  and  the 
table  herewith  shows  the  figures  for  amount  and  value,  annually,  from 
that  time.  Shipments  of  magnesite  from  Napa  County  began  in  1891 
from  the  Snowflake  Mine;  from  the  Red  Mountain  deposits  in  Santa 
(lara  County,  in  1899;  and  from  Tulare  County  in  1900. 


Production  of 

Magnesite 

in  California,  Since  1887. 

Tear 

Tom 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Valm 

1887 

600 
600 

eoo 

600 
1.500 
1,500 
1.093 
1.440 
2.200 
1.500 
1,143 
1.263 
1,280 
2.252 
4,726 
2,830 
1.361 
2,850 
3,933 

$9,000 
9,000 
9.000 

9,000 
15,000 
15,000 
10.930 
10,240 
17.000 
11.000 
13.671 
19,075 
18.480 
19,333 
43,057 
20.655 
20.515 

9.298 
16,221 

1906 

4.032 

6.405 

10,582 

.    7,942 

16.570 

8.858 
10,512 

9.632 
11.438 
30.721 
154,052 
209.648  1 
83,974 
44.606  1 
83,695 
47,837  i 
55,637 
73,963 

$40,320 
57,720 
80,822 
62.588 

113.887 
67,430 

106,120 
77,056 

114,380 

283,461 
1,311,893 
1,976,227 

803.492 

452  094 

1888 

1907 

1889 

1908  _ 

1890 _ ..„ 

1891 

1909 

1910 

1892 

1911 

1893  _._ 

1912 

1894 

19ia 

1895 

1914 

1896  ___ _  _    _ 

1915 ._._ 

1897 _. 

1916 _. 

1898  _ 

1899 

1917 

1918 

1900 

1919 

1901 

1920 _ 

1,033,491 

511 102 

1902 

1921 

1903  .    

1922 

594  665 

1904 

1923 

946  643 

1905 

Totals 

903,465  1 

$8,927,866 

MARBLE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII-XV  (inc.),  XVII, 
XVIII.     Bulletin  38.     U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bull.  106. 

Marble  is  widely  distributed  in  California,  and  in  a  considerable 
variety  of  colors  and  grain.  During  1923,  production  from  one 
operator  each  in  Imperial,  Inyo,  and  San  Diego  counties,  and  two  in 
Tuolumne,  amounted  to  28,015  cubic  feet,  valued  at  $124,919,  being 
a  decrease  both  in  quantity  and  value  from  the  1922  figures. 

California  has  many  beautiful  and  serviceable  varieties  of  marble, 
suitable  for  almost  any  conceivable  purpose  of  construction  or  decora- 
tion. In  the  decorative  class  are  deposits  of  onyx  marble  of  beautiful 
coloring  and  effects.  There  is  also  serpentine  marble  suitable  for 
electrical  switchboard  use. 


I 


^See  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv. ;  Mineral  Resources  of  U.  S.,   1886,  pp.   6  and  696. 


74 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Marble   Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Data  on  annual  production  since  1887,  as  compiled  by  the  State  , 
Mining  Bureau,  follows.  Previous  to  1894  no  records  of  amounts  were  ] 
preserved. 


Tear 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

Tear 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

1887 

$5,000 

,       5,000 

87.030 

80,000 

100,000 

115.000 

40,000 

98,326 

56,566 

82.415 

7,280 

23.594 

10,550 

5,891 

4,630 

37,616 

97,354 

94.208 

129,450 

1906 

31,400 
37,512 
18.653 
79,600 
18.960 
20,201 
27,820 
41,654 
25.436 
22,186 
25,954 
24,755 

"17,428 
25,020 

•^29,531 
30,232 
38.321 
28,015 

$75,800 

1888 

1907 

118,066 

1889    

1908 

47.665 

1890          

1909 - 

238,400 

1891 

1910 

50,200 

1892 

1911 

1912  _.. 

54,103 

1893 

74,120 

1894    

38,441 

14,864 

7.880 

4,102 

8,050 

9,682 

4,103 

2,945 

19,305 

84.624 

55.401 

73,303 

1913  _ 

113,282 

1895 

1914 

48.832 

1896           -      _  _      _. 

1915 _ _ 

1916 

41,518 

1897 

50.280 

1898 

1917            —    

62,950 

1899 

1918     _,      

49,898 

190O 

1919 

74,482 

1901 

1920    

92,899 

1902 _ 

1921 

98,395 

1903 

1922 

127,792 

1904 

1923 

124,919 

Total  value    _ 

1905 

$2,573,511 

"Includes  onyx  and  serpentine. 
''InclTides  onyx.   . 

ONYX  and  TRAVERTINE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII-XV  (inc.),  XVII, 
XVIII.     Bulletin  38. 

Onyx  and  travertine  are  known  to  exist  in  a  number  of  places  in 
California,  but  there  has  been  only  a  small  and  irregular  production 
since  the  year  1896.  As  there  was  but  a  single  operator,  the  Tolenas 
Springs  quarry,  Solano  County,  in  1918  and  1920,  the  figures  for  those 
years  were  combined  with  those  of  the  marble  output.  In  1923  there 
were  two  operators  in  Solano  County  and  one  in  Mono,  and  a  total  of 
14,220  cubic  feet,  valued  at  $2,510,  was  shipped.  In  the  latter  county, 
the  travertine  deposits  near  Bridgeport  are  being  reopened  by  the 
Dineen  Marble  Company  of  Oakland.  Operations  are  also  under  way 
at  a  new  quarry  being  opened  up  at  Kernville  in  Kern  County.  The 
Solano  County  material  is,  in  part,  being  utilized  for  terrazzo. 

Onyx   Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Production  by  years  was  as  follows: 


Tear 

Value 

Tear 

Value 

1887   

$900 

900 

900 

1,500 

2.400 

1,800 

27,000 

20.000 

12,000 

1800 

$24,000 

1888     _ 

1918 

♦ 

1889  

1919 

1890  , 

1920   _ 

* 

1891 

1921            -_        _           _      

1,294 

1892  _ 

1893 _ 

1922   _— — 

1923  

3,320 

2,510 

Total 

1894   _      _-    

1895  

$98,524 

•S^e  ynder  Marble. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


75 


SANDSTONE. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII-XV,  XVII,  XVIII. 
Bulletin  38.     U.  S.  Bur.  of  M.,  Bull.  124. 

An  unlimited  amount  of  high-grade  sandstone  is  available,  in  Cali- 
fornia, but  the  wide  use  of  concrete  in  buildings  of  every  character,  as 
well  as  the  popularity  of  a  lighter-colored  building  stone,  has  curtailed 
production  in  this  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  during  recent  years 
almost  to  the  vanishing  point.  In  1923  two  counties — Santa  Barbara 
and  Ventura — turned  out  7000  cubic  feet,  valued  at  $13,000 ;  compared 
with  900  cubic  feet  and  $1,100  in  1922.  The  main  feature  of  the  loss 
since  1914  is  the  closing  of  the  well-known  Colusa  quarries,  on  account 
of  the  competition  of  lighter  colored  materials. 


Sandstone  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Amount  and  value,  so  far  as  contained  in  the  records  of  this  Bureau, 
are  presented  herewith,  with  total  value  from  1887  to  date : 


Tear 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

Tear 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

1887  - 

$175,000 

150,000 

175,598 

100,000 

100.000 

50,000 

26,314 

113,592 

35,373 

28,379 

24,086 

46,384 

103,384 

254.140 

192,132 

142.506 

585,309 

567,181 

483.268 

1906 

182,076 

159,573 

93.301 

79.240 

-  165,971 

255.313 

66.487 

62,227 

111.691 

63.350 

17,270 

31.090 

900 

5,400 

10.500 

10.150 

900 

7,000 

$164,068 

1888 

1907 

148,148 

1889 

1908 _ 

55.151 

1890 

1909 

37,032 

1891 

1910 _- 

80,443 

1892 

2911 

1912 __ 

191? _ 

127,314 

1893 

22,574 

1894 

27.870 

1895 __„..- 

1914 

1915 _ 

45.322 

1896 

8.438 

1897 

1916  _ 

10.271 

1898 

1917 

1918 

1919 

7,074 

1899  .„- 

1900 

56,264 
378,468 
266.741 
212,123 
353.002 
363,487 
302,813 

400 
3,720 

1901 

1920 

2.300 

1902 

1921 

2,112 

1903 

1922  _   __  

1,100 

1904 

1923 

13,000 

Total  value 

1905 

$4,106,983 

SERPENTINE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Report  XV. 


Bulletin  38. 


Serpentine  has  not  been  produced  in  California  to  a  very  large  extent 
at  any  time.  A  single  deposit,  that  on  Santa  Catalina  Island,  has 
yielded  the  principal  output  to  date.  Some  material  was  shipped  from 
there  in  1917  and  1918,  being  the  only  output  recorded  since  1907.  It 
was  used  for  decorative  building  purposes  and  for  electrical  switch- 
boards. As  there  was  but  a  single  operator,  the  figures  were  combined 
with  those  of  marble  output  for  those  years. 


'6 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Serpentine  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

The  following  table  shows  the  amount  and  value  of  serpentine  from 
1895  as  recorded  by  this  Bureau: 


Tear 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

Year 

Cubic  feet 

Value 

1895 

4.000 

1,500 

2,500 

750 

500 

350 

89 

612 

99 

$4,000 
6,000 
2,500 
3,000 
2,000 
2.000 

890 
5,065 

800 

1904 

200 

$2,310 

1896 

1905    

1897 

1906    -  _ 

847 
1,000 
a 
b 

1.694 

1898 

1907 

3.00O 
a 

1899  _„ _ 

1917 

1900 

1918 

b 

1901 

1919 - 

1902 

Totals 

1903 

12,347 

$33,259 

"  Under   'Unapportioned. 
^See  under  Marble. 


SLATE. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XV,  XVIII.     Bulletin 
'       38.     U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Bull.  586.     U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bull.  218. 

Slate  was  first  produced  in  California  in  1889.  Up  to  and  including 
1910  such  production  was  continuous,  but  since  then  it  has  been  irregu- 
lar. Large  deposits  of  excellent  quality  are  known  in  the  state,  espe- 
cially in  El  Dorado,  Calaveras  and  Mariposa  counties,  but  the  demand 
has  been  light  owing  principally  to  competition  of  chapter  roofing 
materials. 

'Slate'  is  a  term  applied  to  a  fine-grained  rock  that  has  a  more  or 
less  perfect  cleavage,  permitting  it  to  be  readily  split  into  thin,  smooth 
sheets.  Varieties  differ  widely  in  color  and  have  a  considerable  range 
in  chemical  and  mineralogical  composition.  Excepting  certain  rare 
slates  of  igneous  origin  (of  which  the  green  slate  of  the  Eureka  quarry, 
El  Dorado  County,  California,  is  an  example)  formed  from  volcanic  ash 
or  igneous  dikes,  slates  have  originated  from  sedimentary  deposits  con- 
sisting largely  of  clay.  By  consolidation,  and  the  pressure  of  super- 
imposed materials,  clays  become  bedded  deposits  of  shale.  By  further 
consolidation  under  intense  pressure  and  high  temperature  incident  to 
mountain-building  forces,  shales  are  metamorphosed  to  slates.  The 
principal  mineral  constituents  are  mica,  quartz,  and  chloride,  with 
smaller  varying  amounts  of  hematite,  rutile,  kaolin,  graphite,  feldspar, 
tourmaline,  calcite,  and  others. 

The  color  of  slate  is  of  economic  importance.  The  common  colors  are 
gray,  bluish  gray,  and  black,  though  reds  and  various  shades  of  green 
are  occasionally  found. 

The  permanency  of  slate  for  roofing  is  well  known.  It  is  stated  that 
there  are  slate  roofs  in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  over  100  years  old. 

I'ln  England  and  Wales,  and  in  France,  many  buildings  constructed  in  the  15th  and 
16th  centuries  were  roofed  with  slate,  and  the  roofs  are  still  in  excellent  condition. 
There  is  a  record  of  a  chapel  in  Bedford-on-Avon  in  Wiltshire,  England,  roofed  with 
slate  in  the  8th  century,  and  after  1200  year^  of  climatic  exposure  is  moss-covered 
but  m  good  condition." 

Contrary  to  the  general  impression,  however,  the  major  portion  of 
the  slate  produced  in  the  United  States  is  used  on  the  inside  rather  than 

^  Bowles,  O.,  Slate  as  a  permanent  roofing  material :  U.  S.  Bur.  of  M.,  Reports  of 
Investigations,  Serial  No.  2267,  July,   1921,  p.   4. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


77 


the  outside  of  buildings.  Its  interior  uses  include  stationary  washtubs, 
electrical  switchboards,  and  blackboards. 

A  square  of  roofing  slate  is  a  sufficient  number  of  pieces  of  any  size 
to  cover  100  square  feet  of  roof,  with  allowance  generally  for  a  three- 
inch  lap.  The  sizes  of  the  pieces  of  slate  making  up  a  square  range 
from  7x9  inches  to  16  x  24  inches,  and  the  number  of  pieces  in  a 
square  ranges  from  85  to  686.  The  Ferry  Building,  San  Francisco,  is 
roofed  w^ith  Eureka  slate  from  El  Dorado  County. 

In  California,  at  present,  there  are  prospects  of  commercial  output 
l)eing  renewed.  Two  quarries  near  Placerville,  El  Dorado  County,  are 
i  eported  preparing  to  market  material  before  the  close  of  the  current 
year  (1924). 

Total    Production   of   Slate   in    California. 

A  complete  record  of  amount  and  value  of  slate  produced  in  Cali- 
'•)rnia  follows: 


Tear 

Squares   | 

Value 

Tear 

Squares 

Value 

1889  _ 

4,500 

4,000 

4,000 

3,500 

3,000 

1,800 

1,350 

500 

400 

400 

810  . 

3.500 

5.100  , 

4.000 

10,000 

$18,089 

24,000 

24,000 

21,000 

21,000 

11,700 

9,450 

2,500 

2.800 

2.800 

5.900 

26,2.50 

38,250 

30,000 

70.000 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 __--_ 

1910 

1911                      

6.000 
4.000 
10.000 
7.000 
6.000 
6.961 
1,000 

$50,000 

1890 

40,000 

1891 

100.000 

1892 

1893 

1894      

60.000 
60.000 
45,660 

1895 

8.000 

1896 

1897  _-__ 

1898  --    

1915 

1916         —      

1.000 

5.000 

1899 

1920 i 

1921                 — ■ 

8  i 

80 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1922 ■ 

1923                        — ! 

* 

« 

^v\^ 

Totals ' 

88.829 

$676,479 

•Ck)neealed  under  TJn apportioned. 


MISCELLANEOUS  STONE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII-XX.     Bulletin  38. 

'Miscellaneous  stone'  is  the  name  used  throughout  this  report  as  the 
title  for  that  branch  of  the  mineral  industry  covering  crushed  rock  of 
all  kinds,  paving  blocks,  sand  and  gravel,  and  pebbles  for  grinding 
mills.  The  foregoing  are  very  closely  related  from  the  standpoint  of 
the  producer ;  therefore  it  has  been  found  to*  be  most  satisfactory  to 
group  these  items  as  has  been  done  in  recent  reports  of  this  Bureau.  So 
far  as  it  has  been  possible  to  do  so,  crushed  rock  production  has  been 
subdivided  into  the  various  uses  to  which  the  product  was  put.  It  will 
be  noted,  however,  a  very  large  percentage  of  the  output  has  been 
tabulated  under  the  heading  'Unclassified.*  This  is  necessary  because 
of  the  fact  that  many  of  the  producers  have  no  way  of  telling  to  what 
specific  use  their  rock  was  put  after  they  have  quarried  and  sold  the 
same  to  distributors  and  contractors. 

In  addition  to  amounts  produced  by  commercial  firms,  both  corpo- 
rations and  individuals,  there  is  hardly  a  county  in  the  state  but  uses 
more-  or  less  gravel  and  broken  rock  on  its  roads.  Of  much  of  this, 
particularly  in  the  country  districts,  there  is  no  definite  record  kept. 


78 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Estimates  have  been  made  for  some  of  this  output,  based  on  the  mileage 
of  roads  repaired. 

For  the  year  1923  miscellaneous  stone  shows  an  increase  both  in 
total  tonnage  and  value  over  the  preceding  year,  being  $15,395,652  as 
compared  with  $10,377,783  in  1922.  Sand  and  gravel  showed  a  slight 
decrease  in  average  unit  values  reported,  but  crushed  rock  prices 
remained  practically  the  same.  The  crushed  rock  tonnage  increased 
from  a  total  of  5,737,337  in  1922  to  8,519,611  in  1923,  with  sand  and 
gravel  advancing  from  7,312,307  tons  to  11,320,690  tons.  Continuance 
of  general  building  work  and  highway  paving  are  responsible. 

The  largest  increase  was  shown  by  Los  Angeles  County,  which  for 
some  years  past  has  led  all  others  by  a  wide  margin,  with  an  output 
valued  at  $5,408,808  (compared  with  $3,390,477  in  1922)  ;  followed  by 
Alameda,  second,  with  $965,465;  Fresno,  third,  $863,087;  Riverside, 
fourth,  $714,899;  Sacramento,  fifth,  $649,939;  Contra  Costa,  sixth, 
$629,216;  Orange,  seventh,  $536,767;  Marin,  eighth,  $516,936;  followed 
in  turn  by  San  Benito,  Humboldt,  San  Bernardino,  San  Diego,  Butte, 
Santa  Clara,  and  San  Joaquin,  in  the  order  named,  each  with  a  total 
value  in  excess  of  a  quarter-million  dollars. 


Paving   Blocks. 

The  paving  block  industry  has  decreased  materially  of  recent  years, 
almost  to  the  vanishing  point,  because  of  the  increased  construction  of 
smoother  pavements  demanded  by  motor- vehicle  traffic.  The  blocks 
made  in  Solano  County  were  of  basalt;  those  from  Sonoma  are  of 
basalt,  andesite,  and  some  trachyte,  while  those  from  Placer,  Riverside, 
San  Bernardino,  and  San  Diego  are  of  granite. 

Production  in  1923  amounted  to  only  15  M,  valued  at  $880. 

The  amount  and  value  of  paving  block  production  annually  since 
1887  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 

Amount 
M 

Value 

Tear 

Amount 
M 

Value 

1887  

♦10,000 
10,500 
7.303 
7,000 
5.000 
*3,000 
2,770 
2,517 
2,332 
4.161 
1,711 
1,144 
305 
1.192 
1,920 
3,502 
4,854 
8.977 
3.408 

$350,000 

367.500 

297.236 

245.000 

150.000 

96.000 

96.950 

66.981 

73,338 

77.584 

35.235 

21.725 

7.861 

23.775 

41.075 

112,437 

134.642 

161,752 

134,347 

1906 

4,203 

4,604 

7,660 

4,503 

4,434 

4,141 

11,018 

6,364 

6.053 

3,285 

1,322 

938 

372 

27 

63 

4 

72 

15 

$173,432 

1888 

1907       

199,347 

1889  ..._. 

1908 

334,780 

1890  _.„. 

1909 

199,803 

1891  .__ 

1910 

198,916 

1892  

1911 

210.819 

1893  

1912 

578,355 

1894  

1913 

363,505 

1895  

1914 

270,598 

1896  

1915 

171,092 

1897  

1916 

54,362 

1898  

1917 

38,567 

1899  

1918 

17,000 

1900 

1901  

1919 _. 

1920 

1.350 
3,155 

1902 

1921      _ 

280 

1903  

1922         —  — 

3,924 

1904       „  

1923  

880 

1905  — V - 

Totals 

^  135,664 

$5,313,603 

♦Figures  for  1887-1892  (inc.)  are  for  Sonoma  County  only,  as  none  are  available 
for  other  counties  during  that  period  ;  though  Solano  County  quarries  were  then  also 
quite  active. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


79 


Grinding    Mill   Pebbles. 

Production  of  pebbles  for  tube  and  grinding  mills  began  commer- 
cially in  California  in  1915.  Owing  to  the  decreased  iniports  and 
higher  prices  of  Belgium  and  other  European  flint  pebbles,  due  to  the 
war,  there  was  a  serious  inquiry  for  domestic  sources  of  supply.  One  of 
the  shipments  made  in  that  year  was  of  pebbles  selected  from  gold- 
dredger  tailings  in  Sacramento  County,  for  use  in  a  gold  mill  in 
Amador  County  emplwing  Hardinge  mills. 

The  important  development  in  this  item,  however,  took  place  in  San 
Diego  County.  At  several  points  along  the  ocean  shore  from  Encinitas 
south  to  near  San  Diego,  there  are  beaches  of  washed  pebbles  varying 
from  1  inch  to  6  inches  in  diameter,  w^hich  come  from  conglomerate 
beds  made  up  of  well-rounded  water-worn  pebbles  of  various  granitic 
and  porphyritic  rocks  with  some  felsite  and  flint.  The  wave  action  has 
broken  down  portions  of  the  cliffs  for  considerable  distances  and 
formed  beaches  of  the  pebbles  which  are  well  washed  and  cleaned  of 
the  softer  materials.  The  rocks  sorted  out  for  shipment  are  mainly 
basalt  and  diabase,  with  an  occasional  felsite  and  flint  pebble.  There 
is  a  tough  black  basalt  which  is  stated  to  give  satisfactory  results.  In 
Fresno  County  pebbles  have  been  selected  from  the  gravel  beds  of  the 
San  Joaquin  River  near  Friant.  Shipments  have  been  made  to 
metallurgical  plants  in  California,  Nevada,  Montana  and  Utah. 

Imports  in  1923  amounted  to  14,243  long  tons,  valued  at  $130,974 
compared  with  14,321  tons  and  $145,805  in  1922'. 

California  output  for  1923  was  2650  tons,  valued  at  $14,936,  an 
increase  over  the  1922  figures. 

The  amount  and  value  of  grinding  mill  pebbles,  annually,  follows: 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1915                                       .             

340 

20.232 

21,450 

8.628 

2,607 

2,104 

247 

1,571 

2,650 

$2,810 

1916    .  .                                          _    - 

107,567 

1917 __    __    

90,538 

1918 _. 

61,268 

191D    

19,272 

1920 ._ 

17,988 

1921 . 

1,418 

1922   . 

7,628 

1923  ______ 

14,986 

Totals 

59,829 

$253,425 

80 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Sand  and  Gravel. 

The  distribution  of  the  1923  output  of  sand  and  gravel,  by  counties, 
is  given  in  the  following  table : 


County 

Tons 

Value 

County 

Tons 

Value 

Alameda 

ab970,694 

29,430 

226,333 

24,000 

100,000 

52,958 

6,000 

3,500 

447,268 

286,017 

177,410 

126,526 

6,627 

10,340 

37,000 

10,000 

4,630,490 

10,600 

110,500 

40,248 

14,666 

"132,650 

93,533 

2,629 

558,140 

1686,272 

28,515 

150,750 

21,325 

75,000 

21,352 

3,000 

2,600 

339,329 

113.282 

227,428 

55,458 

4,000 

3,973 

25,000 

4,000 

3,169,984 

18,200 

111,125 

8,109 

10,000 

127,370 

64,820 

2,464 

536,767 

Placer-_ 

5.650 

bl  14,533 

b295,335 

31,964 

582,154 

b219,507 

d503,611 

37,392 

16,116 

14,006 

357,118 

7,080 

60,000 

3,274 

62,000 

dl40,032 

302,056 

2,200 

6,850 

b55,114 

284,511 

112,628 

$5,650 
133,700 
215,343 

36  857 

Amador 

Butte 

Sacramento 

Colusa 

San  Bernardino 

158,567 
216,023 
260  543 

Contra  Costa 

San  Diego 

Del  Norte 

San  Joaquin 

El  Dorado— 

32  818 

Fresno 

San  Mateo 

11,338 
9  324 

Glenn 

Humboldt 

Santa  Clara 

271  012 

5,340 
54  500 

Inyo    . 

Shasta 

Kern 

Sierra 

2,312 
72,500 
96  432 

Lake 

Siskiyou 

Los  Angeles 

Stanislaus 

207,965 
3  000 

Mariposa 

Trinity 

Merced 

Tuolumne 

4,300 

53,536 

216,890 

Modoc 

Ventura 

Mono 

Yuba 

Madera,  Marin,  San  Fran- 
cisco, Solano,  Tehama,  Yolo* 

Totals 

Napa  . 

62,407 

Nevada 

Orange 

11,320,690 

$7,940,480 

*Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

^Includes  roofing  gravel. 

bJncludes  molding  sand. 

^Includes  molding,  blast,  filter,  roofing,  building,  and  stucco  sand,  mainly  from  ocean  beaches. 

<*Includes  pea  gravel,  washed  and  graded  sand  and  gravel. 

Included  in  the  above  is  a  total  of  33,194  tons  of  molding  sand, 
valued  at  $66,634,  f .  o.  b.  pit,  from  two  operators  in  San  Diego  County, 
and  one  each  in  Alameda,  Monterey,  Riverside,  Sacramento,  and 
Ventura.  This  item  is  each  year  assuming  a  more  important  position 
in  the  commercial  minerals  list  of  California. 


Crushed   Rock.  "^ 

To  list  the  kinds  and  varieties  of  rocks  utilized  commercially  under 
this  heading  would  be  to  run  almost  the  entire  gamut  of  the  classifica- 
tion scale.  Much  depends  on  the  kind  available  in  a  given  district. 
Those  which  give  the  most  satisfactory  service  are  the  basalts  and  other 
hard,  dense,  igneous  rocks  which  break  with  sharp,  clean  edges.  In 
many  localities,  river-wash  boulders  form  an  important  source  of  such 
material.  In  such  cases,  combined  crushing  and  washing  plants  obtain 
varying  amounts  of  sand  and  gravel  along  with  the  crushed  sizes.  In 
Sacramento  and  Butte  counties  the  tailings  piles  from  the  gold  dredgers 
are  the  basis  of  like  operations. 

The  values  given  are  based  on  the  selling  prices,  f.  o.  b.  cars,  barges, 
or  trucks,  at  the  quarry. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


81 


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82 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Miscellaneous   Stone    Production   of   California,   by   Years. 

The  amount  and  value,  annually,  of  crushed  rock  (including 
macadam,  ballast,  rubble,  riprap,  and  that  for  concrete),  and  sand  and 
gravel,  since  1893,  follow : 


Crushed  Rock,  Sand  a 

nd  Gravel,  by  Years 

. 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1893 

371,100 

661.900 

1,254,688 

960,619 

821,123 

1,177,365 

964.898 

789,287 

530.396 

2,056.015 

2,215,625 

2,296,898 

2,624.257 

1,555,372 

2.288.888 

3.998,945 

$456,075 

664.838 

1,095,939 

839,884 

600,112 

814,477 

786.892 

561,642 

641,037 

1,249,529 

1,673,591 

1,641,877 

1,716,770 

1.418,406 

1.915,015 

3.241,774 

1909 

5,531.561 
5.827,828 
6.487,223 
8,044,937 
9,817,616 
9.288.397 
10.879,497 
9,951,089 
8,069,271 
6.641,144 
6,919.188 
9,792,122 
10,914,145 
13,049,644 
19.840,301 

$2,708,326 

1894       „_ 

1910 

2,777,690 

1895       

1911  -._ 

3,610.357 

1896                 

1912 

4,532.598 

1897       

1913 _- 

4,823,056 

1898 

1914 

3,960,973 

1899 

1915 _ 

4,609,278 

1900 

1916  _ _ 

4,009,590 

1901 

1917 

3,505,662 

1902 

1918 ___ 

3,325,889 

1903 

1919 

3.678,322 

1904 

1920 

6,782,414 

1905 

1921        _    __ 

7.834,640 

1906 

1922  

1923   

10,366,231 

1907 

15,379,838 

1908 

Totals — 

165.621,339 

$101,222,722 

A  comparison  of  the  above  table  of  annual  production  of  these 
materials  with  the  similar  table  for  cement  (see  ante),  reveals  the  fact 
that  the  important  growth  of  the  crushed  rock  and  gravel  business  has 
been  coincident  with  the  rapid  development  of  the  cement  industry 
fram  the  year  1902. 


STATISTICS  OF  ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  83 


CHAPTER   FIVE. 

INDUSTRIAL  MATERIALS. 

Bibliography:  Eeports  XII-XX  (inc.).     Bulletin  38.     Min.  &  Sci. 
Press,  Vol.  114,  March  10,  1917.     See  also  under  each  substance. 

The  following  mineral  substances  have  been  arbitrarily  arranged 
under  the  general  heading  of  Industrial  Materials,  as  distinguished 
from  those  which  have  a  clearly  defined  classification,  such  as  metals, 
salines,  structural  materials,  etc. 

These  materials,  many  of  which  are  mineral  earths,  are,  with  four  or 
five  exceptions,  as  yet  produced  on  a  comparatively  small  scale.  The 
possibilities  of  development  along  several  of  these  lines  are  large  and 
with  increasing  transportation  and  other  facilities,  together  with  stead- 
ily growing  demands,  the  future  for  this  branch  of  the  mineral  industry 
in  California  is  promising.  There  is  scarcely  a  county  in  the  state  but 
might  contribute  to  the  output. 

Up  to  within  the  last  few  years,  at  least,  production  has  been  in  the 
majority  of  instances  dependent  upon  more  or  less  of  a  strictly  local 
market,  and  the  annual  tables  show  the  results  of  such  a  condition,  not 
only  in  the  widely  varying  amounts  of  a  certain  material  produced  from 
year  to  year,  but  in  widely  varying  prices  of  the  same  material.  Fur- 
thermore, the  quality  of  this  general  class  of  material  will  be  found  to 
fluctuate,  even  in  the  same  deposit. 

The  more  important  of  these  minerals  thus  far  exploited,  so  far  as 
shown  by  value  of  the  output,  are  limestone,  mineral  water,  pyrites, 
pottery  clays,  diatomaceous  earth,  gypsum,  talc,  dolomite.  Two 
new  substances  were  added  to  the  commercial  list  in  1922,  namely, 
shale  oil  and  andalusite-sillimanite ;  and  sulphur  in  1923. 

This  group  as  a  whole  showed  an  increase  of  nearly  100%  in  the 
total  value,  from  $2,834,748  in  1922  to  $5,595,816  for  1923.  The 
principal  gains  were  by  diatomaceous  earth,  clay,  dolomite,  gypsum, 
limestone,  mineral  water  and  talc. 


84 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


The  following  table  gives  the  comparative  figures  for  the  amounts 
and  value  of  industrial  minerals  produced  in  California  during  the 
years  1922  and  1923. 


Substance 

1922 

1923 

Increase + 

Decrease— 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Amount 

Value 

Asbestos 

50  tons 

3,370  tons 

277,232  tons 

52,409  tons 

4,587  tons 

6,606  tons 

$1,800 
18,925 
473,184 
114,911 
37,109 
48,756 
^1,312 

188,336 

282,181 

13,277 

486,424 

4,248 

570,425 

* 

31,016 

* 

197,186 

20  tons 
2,925  tons 
376,863  tons 
69,519  tons 
11,100  tons 
3,650  tons 

$200 
16,058 
697,841 
142,615 
81,800 
55,125 
13,220 

$1,600- 

2,867- 

224,657+ 

27,704+ 

44,691+ 

6,369+ 

11,908+ 

Barytes  .          

Clav  (ootterv) 

i)7oS    :""T^::::::::: 

Feldspar 

Fuller's  earth 

Gems 1. 

Graphite  . 

47,084  tons 

84,382  tons 

1,620  tons 

4,276,346  gals. 

613  tons 

151,381  tons 

9,874  tons 

13,378  tons 

Gypsum 

86,410  tons 
143,266  tons 

289,136 
348,464 

100,800+ 
66,283 -f 

Infusorial  and  diatomaceous  earths. 

Lithia 

1,049  tons 

5,487,276  gals. 

2,936  tons 

148,004  tons 

7,964  tons 

* 

17,439  tons 

* 

11,773 
616,919 

16,309 
555,308 

30,420 

* 

252,661 
2,467,967 

1,504- 

130,495+ 

12,061+ 

15,117- 

*  596- 

55,475-l- 

2, 102,309 -^ 

Mineral  water 

Pyrites 

Shale  oil 

Silica  (sand  and  quartz) 

Sillimanite  and  andalusite 

Soapstone  and  talc 

Sulphur 

Unapportioned  * 

365,658 

Total  values 

$2,834,748 

$5,595,816 

Net  increase 

$2,761,068 

*Combined  under  'unapportioned.' 

aJn  1922  includes  graphite,  diatomaceous  earth,  lithia,  shale  oil,  sillimanite;  in  1923  includes  diatomaceous  earth, 
shale  oil,  andalusite-sillimanite,  sulphur. 


ASBESTOS. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII-XIX  (inc.). 
Bulletins  38,  91.  Canadian  Dept.  of  M.,  Mines  Branch  Bulletin 
69.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  April  10,  1920,  pp.  531-533.  Eng.  & 
Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  113,  pp.  617-625 ;  670-677. 

In  1923,  a  total  of  20  tons  of  crude  asbestos  ore  valued  at  $200  was 
shipped  from  California  properties,  being  a  decrease  from  the  50  tons 
and  $1,800  reported  in  1922.  The  material  was  of  short-fibre  mill 
grade,  and  was  utilized  mainly  in  magnesite-cement  stucco  and  flooring. 

The  future  of  asbestos  mining  in  California  is  dependent  largely 
upon  the  development  of  uses  in  quantity  for  the  short-fibre  mill  grades. 
There  are  apparently  large  resources  of  such  material  that  can  be  made 
available.  Besides  magnesite-cement  stucco  and  flooring  mentioned 
above,  it  can  be  utilized  in  steam-pipe  covering,  composition  fire-proof 
shingles,  and  roofing  paper.  It  is  also  being  tried  out  as  a  filler  with 
asphalt  in  street  pavement  surfacing.  For  some  of  these  purposes, 
the  amphibole  variety  is  also  serviceable. 

Some  spinning-grade  fibre  has  also  been  found  in  this  state,  notably; 
in  Nevada,  Calaveras,  and  Monterey  counties,  but  the  commercial 
production  to  date  has  been  small.  Other  counties  with  possibilities! 
for  yielding  good-quality  fibre,  though  short,  include  Fresno,  Lake,! 
Napa,  San  Benito,  Shasta,  Siskiyou,  and  Trinity.  There  are  extensive 
serpentine  areas  in  the  Coast  Ranges,  in  the  Klamath  Mountains,  and 
in  several  sections  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  which  are  within 
the  range  of  possible  asbestos  producers,  as  chrysotile  is  a  fibrous  form 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


85 


of  serpentine.     These  localities  all  yielded  chromite  in  greater  or  less 
amounts  during  the  World  War  period. 

Value  and  Production  of  Asbestos  in   California,  by  Years. 

Total  amount  and  value  of  asbestos  production  in  California  since 
1887,  as  given  in. the  records  of  this  Bureau,  are  as  follows : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tong 

Value 

1887 _ 

30 
30 
30 
71 
66 
30 
50 
50 
25 

$1,800 
1,800 
1,800 
4.260 
a960 
1,830 
2,500 
2,250 
1,000 

1906 

70 

70 

70 

65 

200 

125 

90 

47 

51 

143 

145 

136 

229 

131 

410 
50 
20 

$3,500 
3500 

1888 

1907 

1889 

1908 

6,100 

6,500 

20,000 

500 

1890  _ 

1891        

1909 

1910 

1892                     -      - 

1911 

1893 

1912 

2,700 

1894 

1913 . 

1.175 
1,630 
2,860 

1895 

1914 

1896    

1915 

1897       

1916 

2.380 

1898       -               

10 
30 

50 
110 

200 

750 

1,250 

4,400 

1917 

10,225 

1899 

1918 _ 

9,903 

1900    

1919^  ^ 

1901        

6,240 

1920  5     """ 

1921 

1902              

19.275 

1903              _           

1922 

1923 

1.800 

1904 

10 
112 

162 
2.625 

200 

1905 

Totals 

2,756 

$128,975 

•Annual  details  concealed  under  'Unapportioned.' 


BARYTES. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIV,  XV,  XVII. 
Bulletin  38.  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  114,  p.  109,  July  15, 
1922;  Vol.  115,  pp.  319-324,  Feb.  17,  1923. 

The  output  of  crude  barytes  in  California  during  1923  amounted  to 
a  total  of  2925  tons  valued  at  $16,058  f .  o.  b.  rail  shipping  point,  as 
compared  with  3,370  tons  valued  at  $18,925  in  1922.  The  1923  prod- 
uct came  mainly  from  Nevada  County,  with  smaller  amounts  from 
Mariposa  and  Shasta  counties,  and  was  consumed  principally  in  the 
manufacture  of  lithopone.  More  than  half  of  the  total  tonnage  of 
barytes  utilized  in  the  United  States  is  taken  in  the  manufacture  of 
lithopone,  which  is  a  chemically-prepared,  white  pigment  containing 
approximately  70%  barium  sulphate  and  30%  zinc  sulphide.  This  is 
one  of  the  principal  constituents  of  'flat'  wall  paints. 

The  principal  uses  for  barytes,  after  washing  and  grinding,  are  as 
an  inert  pigment  and  filler  in  paint,  paper,  linoleum,  oilcloth  and 
i-ubber  manufacture,  and  in  the  preparation  of  lithopone  and  a  number 
of  chemicals.  The  most  important  of  such  chemicals,  other  than 
lithopone,  are:  barium  binoxide  (used  in  preparation  of  hydrogen 
peroxide)  ;  barium  carbonate  (used  by  pressed  brick  and  by  rubber 
manufacturers  to  neutralize  sulphur  content)  ;  barium  chloride  (used 
in  battery  plates,  and  as  a  mordant  by  dry-color  manufacturers,  and 
in  tanning  leather)  ;  barium  nitrate  (used  in  munitions  and  in  making 
'red  fire'  material)  ;  barium  sulphate  precipitated,  or  'blanc  fixe' 
(used  in  rubber  manufacture;  for  painting  on  interior  steel  of  battle- 


86 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


ships  and  other  sea-going  vessels;  also  as  a  detector  in  taking  X-ray 
pictures  of  the  human  body) . 

Present  quotations  for  barytes  vary  from  $5  to  $9  per  ton,  crude, 
f.  0.  b.  rail  shipping  point,  depending  on  quality.  Most  baryte  has  to 
be  washed  and  acid  treated  to  remove  iron  stains  or  other  impurities 
before  being  suitable  for  paint  use. 

Known  occurrences  of  this  mineral  in  California  are  located  in  Inyo, 
Los  Angeles,  Mariposa,  Monterey,  Nevada,  San  Bernardino,  Shasta  and 
Santa  Barbara  counties.  The  deposit  at  El  Portal,  in  Mariposa  County, 
has  given  the  largest  commJercial  production  to  date,  in  part  witherite 
(barium  carbonate,  BaCOg). 

Total   Barytes   Production  of  California. 

The  first  recorded  production  of  barytes  in  California,  according  to 
the  statistical  reports  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  was  in  1910.  The 
annual  figures  are  as  follows: 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1910  _ 

860 

309 

564 

1,600 

2,000 

410 

1,606 

4,420 

$5,640 
2,207 
2,812 
3,680 
3,000 
620 
5,516 

25.633 

1918 

1919 

100 
1,501 
3.029 

901 
3,370 
2,925 

$1,500 
18,065 
20.795 

IWl    _  . 

1912 

1920  __ 

1913 

1921      

4,809 

1914 

1922 

18.925 
16,058 

1915 

1923 

Totals 

1916 

3917 "._I". 

23,595 

$129,260 

CLAY   (pottery). 

Bibliography:   State  Mineralogist  Reports  I,  TV,   IX,  XII-XV, 
XVII-XIX  (inc.).     Bulletin  38.     Preliminary  Report  No.  7. 

At  one  time  or  another  in  the  history  of  the  state,  pottery  clay  has 
been  quarried  in  thirty-three  of  its  counties.  In  this  report,  'pottery 
clay'  refers  to  all  clays  used  in  the  manufacture  of  red  and  brown 
earthenware,  china  and  sanitary  ware,  flowerpots,  floor,  faience  and 
ornamental  tiling,  architectural  terra  cotta,  sewer  pipe,  drain  and  roof 
tile,  etc.,  and  the  figures  for  amount  and  value  are  relative  to  the  crude 
material  at  the  pit,  without  reference  to  whether  the  clay  was  sold  in 
the  crude  form,  or  whether  it  was  immediately  used  in  the  mjanufacture 
of  any  of  the  above  finished  products  by  the  producer.  It  does  not 
include  clay  used  in  making  brick  and  building  blocks. 

There  are  many  other  important  uses  for  clays  besides  pottery  manu- 
facture. Among  these  may  be  enumerated,  paper,  cotton  goods,  and 
chemicals.  Being  neutral,  clay  does  not  have  an  injurious  effect  upon 
other  constituents  used  in  the  manufacture  of  Such  articles.  In  paper 
making,  clay  is  used  as  a  filler  in  news  and  similar  grades,  and  as  a 
coater  or  glazer  in  the  more  highly  finished  art  papers.  A  large  part 
of  the  china  clay  used  in  the  United  States  is  imported  from  England. 
Clays  of  the  montmorillonite  and  halloysite  group  ('rock  soap')  are 
being  utilized  successfully  in  the  manufacture  of  soaps. 

During  1923,  a  total  of  48  producers  in  16  counties  reported  an 
output  of  376,863  short  tons  of  pottery  clay,  having  a  total  value  of 
$697,841  f .  0.  b.  rail-shipping  point,  for  the  crude  material,  as  com- 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


87 


pared  with  the  1922  production  of  277,232  tons  worth  $473,184.  This 
is  a  high-record  total  for  the  clay  industry  in  California. 

Because  of  the  fact  that  a  given  product  often  requires  a  mixture  of 
several  different  clays,  and  that  these  are  not  all  found  in  the  same  pit, 
it  is  necessary  for  most  clay-working  plants  to  buy  some  part  of 'their 
raw  materials  from  other  localities.  For  these  reasons,  in  compiling  the 
clay  industry  figures,  mtich  care  is  required  to  avoid  duplications.  So 
far  as  we  have  been  able  to  segregate  the  figures,  from  the  data  sent  in 
by  the  operatives,  we  have  credited  the  clay  output  to  the  counties  from 
which  the  raw  material  originated;  and  have  deducted  tonnages  used 
in  brick  manufacture,  as  bricks  are  classified  separately,  herein. 

A  tabulation  of  the  direct  returns  from  the  producers,  by  counties, 
for  the  year  1923,  is  shown  herewith. 

Pottery  Clay,  In  1923. 


County 

Tons 

Value 

Used  in  the  manufacture  of— 

Alameda 

2,850 

45,887 

9,024 

abl28,825 

»82,919 

ac85,185 

830 
de5,603 

2,202 

13,538 

$10,422 
58,196 
12,755 
59,272 

143,097 

246,033 

12,630 
100,977 

3,954 

50,505 

Drain  tile,  floor  tile,  flue  lining,  refractories. 

Contra  Costa 

Architectural  terra  cotta,  sewer  pipe,  sanitary  ware. 

Los  Angeles .    . 

Roofing  tile,  fire  clay,  faience  tile,  sewer  pipe,  drain 

Placer      

tile,  stoneware,  architectural  terra  cotta,  electrical 
conduit,  cleanser  preparations,  crushed  brick  for 
roofing,  refractories  and  various. 

Riverside 

mantel,  faience,  roofing  and  drain  tile,  fire  clay, 
sanitary  ware  and  various. 
Architectural  terra  Totta,  tile,  fire  clay  and  grog. 

sewer  pipe,  stoneware,  drain  tile,  terra  cotta  flues, 
and  various. 

San  Diego 

Architectural  terra  cotta,  floor,  faience,  and  roofing 

Santa  Clara 

tile,  crushed  tile  for  roofing,  cleanser. 
^Refractories  floor  tile,  flower  pots. 

Calaveras,  Fresno »,  Humboldt,  Kern, 
Marin,  Orange,  San  Joaquin* 

Sewer  and  chimney  pipe,  fire  clay,  drain  and  roofing 
tile,  crushed  brick  for  roofing,  and  refractories. 

Totals 

376,863 

$697,841 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

^Includes  fire  clay. 

^Includes  clay  used  in  manufacturing  'cleanser'  preparations. 

"Includes  ball  clay. 

^Includes  'Cornwall  stone.' 

•^Includes  'bleaching  clay.' 


Pottery  Clay   Products. 

The  values  of  the  various  pottery  clay  products  made  in  California 
during  1923  totaled  $10,523,168,  compared  with  $7,562,698  in  1922, 
their  distribution  being  shown  in  the  following  tabulation : 


Product 


Value 


Architectural   terra  cotta 

Chimney  pipe,  terra  cotta,  and  flue  linings 

Drain   tile    

Roofing  tile   

Sewer   pipe   

Stoneware  and  chemical  stoneware 

Sanitary  ware   

Chinaware  and  semi-vitreous   tableware 

Red   earthenware    

Floor,  faience,  mantel,  glazed  and  hand-made  tile 

Miscellaneous  art  pottery,  terra  cotta,  garden  furni- 
ture, mortar  colors,  vitrified  conduit,  bisque  ware, 
grog  and  fire  clay 


$2,390,653 
379,974 
126,070 

1,065,149 

2,075,022 
290,500 

2,023,674 
568,301 
177,256 

1,160,162 


366,407 


Total  value $10,523,168 

Important  increases  were  shown  by  all  of  the  above  groups. 


88 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Pottery  Clay  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Amount  and  value  of  crude  pottery  clay  output  in  California  since 
1887  are  given  in  the  following  table : 


.     Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887 

75,000 

75,000 

75,000 

100,000 

100,000 

100,000 

24,856 

28,475 

37,660 

41,907 

24,592 

28,947 

40,600 

59.636 

55,679 

67,933 

90,972 

84,149 

133,805 

$37,500 
37,500 
37,500 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
67,284 
35,073 
39,685 
62,900 
30,290 
33,747 
42,700 
60,956 
39,144 
74,163 
99,907 
81,952 

130,146 

1906 

167,267 
160,385 
208,042 
299,424 
249,028 
224,578 
199,605 
231,179 
179,948 
157,866 
134,636 
166,298 
112,423 
135,705 
203,997 
225,120 
277,232 
376,863 

$162,283 
254,454 
325,147 
465,647 
324,099 
252,759 
215,683 
261,273 

1888 

1907    .      - 

1889 

1908 

1890 

1909       -      - 

1891 

1910 

1892       

1911 

1893            

1912 

1894        _           

1913 

1895              

1914 

167,552 
133,724 
146,538 
154,602 

1896       _      - 

1915       -           -_      . 

1897 

1916              -      - 

1898 

1917 

1899  _ - 

1918  — 

166,788 

1900 

1919 

1920  .- 

245,019 

1901 

440,689 

1902    -- 

1921 

362 172 

1903       

1922 

473 184 

1904       -            -    _- 

1923 — 

697,841 

1Qf\^ 

Totals  - 

4,953,808 

$6,309,901 

DOLOMITE. 
Bibliography :  Keports  XV,  XYII,  XVIII. 


Bulletins  67,  91. 


The  production  of  dolomite  for  the  year  1923  totaled  69,519  tons 
valued  at  $142,615,  being  an  increase  over  the  52,409  tons  and  $114,911 
of  1922,  and  came  from  a  total  of  six  quarries  in  Inyo,  Monterey,  and 
San  Benito  counties. 

An  important  part  of  the  tonnage  being  shipped  is  utilized  as  a 
refractory  lining  in  the  bottoms  of  open-hearth  steel  furnaces,  as  a 
substitute  for  magnesite.  Part  of  the  Inyo  County  material  is  used 
for  its  CO2  by  the  chemical  plants  on  Owens  Lake,  in  the  manufacture 
of  soda  ash  and  bicarbonate  from  the  waters  of  the  lake.  Some  also 
is  used  for  terrazzo  and  for  stucco  dash-coat. 

The  .1923  output  was  distributed  as  follows  : 


County 

Tons 

Value 

47,542 
21.977 

$79,793 

Monterey  and  San  Benito*.  _  ^ 

62.822 

Totals _ 

69,519 

$142,615 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  quarry  in  each. 
Dolomite   Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Previous  to  the  1915  statistical  report  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau, 
dolomite  was  included  under  limestone,  as  the  two  minerals  are  closely 
related,  chemically;  but  since  dolomdte,  as  such,  has  been  found  to 
have  certain  distinctive  applications,  we  have  given  it  a  separate 
classification. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


89 


Amount  and  value  of  the  output  of  dolomite,  annually,  have  been  as 
follows : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

1915                                                 - 

4,192 
13,313 
27,911 
24,560 
24,502 
42,388 
31,195 
52,409 
69,519 

$14,504 

1916                                                                                   

46,566 

1917 

66,416 

1918 __ — 

79,441 

1919  .   .                            

67,953 

1920                                                            .  .                    - 

132,791 

1921                                                                                                 

99,155 

1922 _ - 

114,911 

1923 

142,615 

Totals 

289,989 

$764,352 

FELDSPAR. 

Bibliography:  Reports  XV,  XVII,  XVIII.  Bulletins  67,  91. 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines,  Bulletin  92.  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour. -Press, 
Vol.  115,  pp.  535-538,  Mar.  24,  1923. 

Feldspar  was  produced  by  five  operators  in  two  counties  (Riverside 
and  San  Diego)  during  1923,  to  the  amount  of  11,100  tons,  valued 
at  $81,800,  being  more  than  double  both  the  quantity  and  value  of 
1922  which  were  4587  tons  and  $37,109. 

The  product  was  used  in  the  ceramic  industry,  principally  in  pot- 
tery, porcelain,  enamel  wares,  also  enamel  brick  and  tile,  being  a 
constituent  of  both  the  body  and  the  glaze,  but  more  especially  the 
latter.  For  the  characteristics,  grades,  and  marketing  data  of  feldspar, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  excellent  paper  by  Prof.  Watts^  and 
quoted  in  our  report  of  last  year.^ 

The  requirements  of  the  pottery  trade  demand  that  in  general  the 
percentage  of  free  silica  associated  with  the  feldspar  be  less  than  20%, 
and  in  some  cases  the  potters  specify  less  than  5%.  An  important 
factor,  also,  is  the  iron-bearing  minerals  frequently  present  in  pegma- 
tites and  granites,  such  as  biotite  (black  mica),  garnet,  hornblende,  and 
black  tourmaline.  Feldspar  for  pottery  uses  should  be  practically  free 
of  these.  The  white,  potash-mica,  muscovite,  is  not  particularly  objec- 
tionable except  that,  being  in  thin,  flexible  plates,  it  does  not  readily 
grind  to  a  fineness  required  for  the  feldspar. 

Present  quotations  are  from  $4  to  $7  per  ton,  crude,  according  to 
quality. 

The  most  important  recent  developmlents  in  feldspar  deposits  in 
California  have  taken  place  in  San  Diego  and  Riverside  counties,  where 
large  deposits  of  massive,  high-grade  spar  are  being  opened  up.  These 
deposits  are  unusually  free  from  black  mica  and  other  deleterious  iron- 
bearing  minerals  objectionable  in  pottery  work.  The  important  dis- 
tricts are  near  Lakeside  and  Campo  in  San  Diego  County,  and  near 
Lakeview,  Murrietta,  and  Elsinore,  in  Riverside  County.  No  produc- 
tion has  been  reported  from  Monterey  and  Tulare  counties,  for  the  past 
three  years. 

^Watts,  A.  S..  The  marketing  of  feldspar:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  115,  pp. 
535-538,   Mar.   24.   1923. 

^Bradley,  W.  W..  California  mineral  production  for  r922 :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur., 
Bulletin  93,  pp.  108-110,  1923. 


90 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Total   Feldspar  Production  of  California. 

Total  amount  and  value  of  feldspar  production  in  California  since 
the  inception  of  the  industry  are  given  in  the  following  table,  by  years : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year, 

Tons 

Value 

1910 

760 
740 
1,382 
2,129 
3,530 
1,800 
2,630 
11,792 

$5,720 
4,560 
6,180 
7,850 

16,565 
9,000 

14,350 

46,411 

1918 

4,132 
1,272 
4,518 
4,349 
4,587 
11,100 

$22,061 

1911 

1919 

12,965 

1912 

1920 

26,189 

1913 

1921 

28,343 

1914 

1922 

37,109 

1915 -. 

1923 _ 

81,800 

1018 

Totals 

1917 

54,721 

$319,098 

FLUORSPAR. 

Bibliography :  Reports  XVII,  XVIII.     Bulletins  67,  91.     Eng.  & 
Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  117,  pp.  489-492,  Mar.  22,  1924. 

Fluorspar,  which  is  calcium  fluoride,  CaFg,  is  one  of  the  most 
important  non-metallic  minerals  from  an  industrial  standpoint.  About 
80%  of  the  commercial  mineral  is  prepared  in  the  'gravel'  form  and 
utilized  as  a  flux  in  the  manufacture  of  steel,  for  which  use  no  substi- 
tute has  yet  been  found.  In  the  United  States,  under  normal  business 
conditions  the  consumption  for  that  purpose  is  125,000  to  150,000  tons 
annually.  Fluorspar  is  also  used  in  aluminum  smelting,  and  in  the 
manufacturing  of  enameled  ware,  glazed  tile  and  brick,  opalescent 
glass,  and  certain  chemicals,  particularly  hydrofluoric  acid  and  its 
derivatives.  The  mineral  is  marketed  in  three  forms:  lump,  gravel, 
and  ground. 

i"Of  the  three  physical  forms  of  fluorspar  of  commerce,  lump,  gravel,  and  ground, 
two  grades  of  each  form  are  marketed.  Lump  and  gravel  are  sold  as  metallurglca,l 
or  fluxing  grades,  and  acid  grades ;  ground  is  sold  as  glass-enamel-ceramic  grade, 
and  acid  grade.  Lump  spar  of  either  grade  should  not  be  too  large,  and  small  lump, 
not  exceeding  6  in.  in  diameter,  is  preferred  by  the  trade.  Specifications  for  physical 
form  of  metallurgical  lump  spar  demand  a  minimum  content  of  gravel  fluorspar,  as 
fines,  in  any  carload,  say  not  exceeding  one  ton.  Metallurgical  gravel  spar  should 
not  be  too  fine,  and  coarse  gravel  with  minimum  content  of  fluorspar  sand,  as  fines, 
is  more  acceptable  to  the  trade.  Size  specifications  for  metallurgical  gravel  spar 
demand  that  it  shall  pass  through  a  1-in.  ring. 

"The  market  specifications  for  standard  fiuorspar  in  any  form  are  mainly  chemical 
and  governed  by  analysis.  Guaranteed  analysis  for  standard  metallurgical  of  fiuxing 
grade  spar,  lump  or  gravel,  is  minimum  of  85  per  cent  calcium  fluoride,  and  maximum 
of  5  per  cent  silica.  Merchantable  grade  acid-spar,  lump,  gravel  and  ground,  varies 
somewhat  with  different  users.  Not  exceeding  2  per  cent  silica  and  under  97  per 
cent  calcium  fluoride  are  the  limits.  Part  of  the  trade  insists  on  a  guaranteed 
minimum  of  98  per  cent  calcium  fluoride  and  maximum  of  1  per  cent  silica,  though 
some  consumers  are  satisfied  with  a  guaranteed  minimum  of  97  per  cent  calcium 
fluoride  and  maximum  of  2  per  cent  silica.  Glass-enamel-ceramic  grade  ground 
fluorspar  specifications  are  flexible,  the  users  of  that  class  of  spar  particularly 
demanding  flne  grinding,  preferably  150  to  200  mesh,  and  thorough  washing  free 
from  alumina ;  also  freedom  from  contamination  of  metallic  ores  and  barytes. 
Analyses  for  glass-enamel-ceramic  spar  vary  from  90  to  95  per  cent  calcium  fluoride, 
2  to  5  per  cent  silica,  and  2  to  8  per  cent  calcium  carbonate. 

"The  usual  impurities  in  fluorspar  are  silica  and  calcium  carbonate,  which  are 
penalized,  as  a  rule.  Minor  impurities  in  fluorspar  are  ores  of  lead  and  zinc,  generally 
the  sulphides,  and  pyrites  and  barytes,  all  of  which  are  objectionable,  and  sometimes 
penalized. 

"No  premiums  are  allowed  on  fluorspar  shipments,  but  there  is  a  penalty  for 
inferior  material.  Trade  specifications  demand  that  for  each  point  of  calcium 
fluoride  less  than  85  per  cent  there  shall  be  deducted  l/85th  of  the  delivered '  cost, 
and  for  each  point  of  silica  over  5  per  cent  there  shall  be  deducted  1/4 0th  of  the 
delivered  cost." 


iReed,  A.  H.,  Marketing  of  fluorspar:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.   117,  p.  489, 
Mar,  22,  1924. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  91 

Imports  of  fluorspar  into  the  United  States  in  1923  amounted  to 
42,226  short  tons,  the  largest  since  1910,  and  came  principally  from 
England,  with  smaller  amounts  from  British  South  Africa,  Italy,  China, 
and  Netherlands.  The  1923  imports  were  equivalent  to  35%  of  the 
domestic  shipments  of  fluorspar  as  compared  with  23%  in  1922,  accord- 
ing to  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 

In  California  deposits  have  been  reported  in  Los  Angeles,  Mono, 
Riverside  and  San  Bernardino  counties,  but  no  commercial  production 
has  resulted  except  in  1917-1918,  when  a  total  of  79  tons  valued  at 
$991  was  shipped  from  Riverside  County. 

In  1921,  at  the  King  Mine  under  development  near  Afton,  San 
Bernardino  County,  some  fluorspar  was  mined  but  not  shipped.  Field 
examinations  have  indicated  a  considerable  deposit  there  of  merchant- 
able spar. 

The  Tariff  Act  of  1922  places  a  duty  of  $5.60  per  ton  on  foreign 
importations  of  fluorspar. 

Present  quotations  (Engineering  and  Mining  Journal-Press,  New 
York,  Sept.  6,  1924)  are :  f.  o.  b.  Middle  Western  mines,  per  net  ton. 
Not  less  than  80%  CaFg  and  not  over  5%  SiOj,  $22;  not  less  than 
85%  CaFa  and  not  over  5%  SiOg,  $23.50.  Ground  and  acid  grades, 
up  to  98.5%  CaFg  and  down  to  1%  SiOg,  as  high  as  $45  per  ton  in  bulk. 

FULLER'S  EARTH. 

Bibliography.  Reports  XIY,   XVII,   XVIII.      Bulletins   38,   91. 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines,  Bulletin  71. 

Fuller's  earth  includes  many  kinds  of  unctuous  clays.  It  is  usually 
soft,  friable,  earthy,  nonplastic,  white  and  gray  to  dark  green  in  color, 
and  some  varieties  disintegrate  in  water.  In  California,  fuller's  earth 
has  been  used  in  clarifying  both  refined  mineral  and  vegetable  oils, 
and  for  special  chemical  purposes;  although  its  original  use  was  in 
fulling  wool,  as  the  name  indicates.  Production  has  come  mainly 
from  Calaveras  and  Solano  counties,  with  other  deposits  noted  also 
in  Riverside,  Fresno,  Inyo,  and  Kern  counties. 

Clays  of  the  montmorillonite  and  halloysite  group  ('rock  soap')  are 
being  utilized  by  some  of  the  oil  refineries  in  lieu  of  true  fuller's  earth 
in  the  refining  of  petroleum  products. 

The  production  of  3650  tons,  valued  at  $55,125,  here  credited  to 
1923,  as  'fuller's  earth'  is  in  reality  colloidal  clay  of  the  montmorillo- 
nite class  (sold  under  such  local  names  as:  'bentonite,'  'otaylite,'  'sho- 
shonite,'  derived  from  the  locality  where  found).  Because  of  its  being 
used  for  clarifying  and  filtering  processes,  we  have  placed  it,  for  the 
purposes  of  this  statistical  report,  under  the  'fuller's  earth'  heading. 
After  all,  the  practical  test  of  a  fuller's  earth  is  not  so  much  a  chemical 
one,  as  a  practical  one;  that  is,  its  physical  capacity  to  absorb  basic 
colors  and  to  remove  these  colors  from  solution  in  animal,  vegetable 
or  mineral  oils,  also  from  water. 

The  1923  production  in  California  show^  a  decrease  in  tonnage  but 
an  increase  in  value,  and  came  from  three  properties,  in  Inyo  and  San 
Diego  counties. 


92 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


Fuller's  Earth  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Fuller's  earth  was  first  produced  commercially  in  this  state  in  1899, 
and  the  total  amount  and  value  of  the  output  since  that  time  are  as 
follows : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1899... 

620 
500 

1,000 
987 
250 
500 

1,344 
440 
100 
50 
459 
340 
466 

$12,400 

3,750 

19,500 

19,246 

4,750 

9,500 

38,000 

10,500 

1,000 

1,000 

7,385 

3,820 

5,294 

1912 

876 

460 

760 

692 

110 

220 

37 

385 

600 

1,185 

6,606 

3,650 

$6  500 

1900 

1913 

3,700 
5,928 

1901 

1914 

1902 

1915 . 

4,002 
550 

1903 . 

1916 

1904 .   _. 

1917 

2,180 

1905 _ 

1918 

333 

1906 _ 

1919 

3,810 

1907_._ 

1920  .  . 

6,000 

1908._... _. 

1921 

8,295 

1909 

1922 

48,756 

1910 

1923 

55,125 

1911 

Totals   _ 

22,637 

$281,324 

Note. — Above  production,  in  1923,  was  montmorillonite  (hydrous  aluminum 
silicate)  a  colloidal  clay,  sometimes  called  'rock  soap,'  and  in  part  locally  called 
'shoshonite'  from  its  being:  found  near  Shoshone  in  Inyo  County:  and  in  part 
'otaylite'  from  Otay.  San  Diego  County. 

GEMS. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  XIV,  XV,  XVII, 
XVIII.  Bulletins  37,  67,  91.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  'Mineral  Resources 
of  the  U.  S.';  Bull.  603,  p.  208.  Bull.  Dept.  Geol.  Univ.  of  Cal., 
Vol.  5,  pp.  149-153,  331-380.     Am.  Jour.  Sei.,  Vol.  31,  p.  31. 

The  production  of  gem  materials  in  California  has  been  somewhat 
irregular  and  uncertain  since  1911.  The  compilation  of  complete 
statistics  is  difficult  owing  to  the  widely  scattered  places  at  which  stones 
are  gathered  and  marketed  in  a  small  way.  The  materials  reported 
in  .1923  totaled  $13,220  in  value,  the  increase  over  the  figure  of  $1,312 
in  1922  being  due  mainly  to  a  slight  renewal  of  activity  in  the  tourma- 
line district  of  northern  San  Diego  County,  and  in  part  to  shipments 
of  quartz  crystals  from  Calaveras  County. 

The  following  table  shows  the  distribution  of  rough,  uncut  gem  and 
jeweler's  materials  during  1923: 


County 

Value 

Kind 

San  Diego.. 

$8,530 

) 
1 
}      *4,690 

1 
J 

Tourmaline,  kunzite,  essonite  and  spessartite  garnets,  acqua- 

marine  and  pink  beryl,  blue  topaz,  quartz  crystals, 
f  Diamonds. 
I  Quartz  crystals. 

{ Turgite,  opals,  chalcedony,  lapis  lazuli. 
1  Quartz  crystals,  green  beryl. 

Butte.. 

Calaveras 

Inyo 

Riverside .. 

San  Bernardino 

Total  value 

$13,220 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

Varieties  of  California  Gem   Stones. 

Diamonds  have  been  found  in  a  number  of  localities  in  California; 
but  in  every  case,  they  have  been  obtained  in  stream  gravels  while 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


93 


^\  orking  them  for  gold.  The  principal  districts  have  been :  Volcano  in 
Amador  County;  Placerville,  Smith's  Flat  and  others  in  El  Dorado 
County ;  French  Corral,  Nevada  County ;  Cherokee  Flat,  Morris  Ravine, 
and  Yankee  Hill,  Butte  County ;  Gopher  Hill  and  upper  Spanish  Creek, 
Plumas  County.  The  most  productive  district  of  recent  years  has  been 
Cherokee  in  Butte  County. 

California  tourmalines  are  decidedly  distinctive  in  coloring  and  'fire' 
as  compared  to  foreign  stones  of  this  classification.  The  colors  range 
from  deep  ruby  to  pink,  and  various  shades  of  green;  also  a  blue 
tourmaline  has  been  found. 

One  of  our  California  gem  stones,  henitoite,  has  not  been  found  else- 
where ;  and  in  but  a  single  locality  here :  The  Dallas  Mine  in  San  Benito 
County. 

Kunzite,  a  gem  variety  of  spodumene,  was  first  found  in  the  Pala 
district  in  San  Diego  County.  It  has  thus  far  been  found  in  only  one 
locality  (Madagascar)  outside  of  California.  It  is  of  a  lilac  color,  and 
is  described  in  detail  in  Bulletin  37  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau. 

Beryls  of  excellent  fire  and  delicate  colors  are  also  obtained  in  the 
Pala  district,  of  which  the  aquamarine  (blue)  and  morganite  (pink) 
varieties  deserve  special  mention.  Morganite,  like  kunzite,  has  thus 
far  been  found  elsewhere  only  in  Madagascar. 

Calif ornitey  or  'California  jade,'  is  a  gem  variety  of  vesuvianite,  and 
is  green  or  white  in  color.  It  is  found  in  Butte,  Fresno,  and  Siskiyou 
counties. 

Some  rhodonite  has  been  mined  in  Siskiyou  County,  and  used  for 
decorative  purposes,  its  value  being  included  in  the  marble  figures. 

Chrysoprase  has  been  produced  in  Tulare  County. 

Turquoise  has  been  found  in  the  desert  section  of  San  Bernardino 
County,  but  none  produced  commercially  in  recent  years. 

Sapphires  have  been  reported  recently  found  in  San  Bernardino  and 
Riverside  counties,  but  not  as  yet  confirmed. 

Rubies  have  been  identified  by  the  laboratory  of  the  State  Mining 
Bureau,  occurring  in  limestone  from  the  Baldy  Mountains,  San 
Bernardino  County.  Thus  far  no  stones  of  commercial  size  have  been 
taken  out. 

Total   Production   of   Gem    Materials   in    California. 

The  value  of  the  gem  output  in  California  annually  since  the  begin- 
ning of  commercial  production  is  as  follows ; 


Year 

Value 

Year 

Value 

1900 _ 

$20,500 

40,000 

162,100 

110,500 

136,000 

148,500 

497,090 

232,642 

208,950 

193,700 

237,475 

51,824 

23,050 

1913 

$13,740 
3,970 
^  3.565 
f   4,752 
r  3,049 
650 

1901 

1914 

1902. ._ 

1915 

1903 

1916.. 

1904.. 

1917 

1905 

1918 

1906 

1919 

5,425 

1907.. 

1920 

36,056 

1908 

1921 

10  954 

1909 

1922... 

1,312 

1910 

1923  _ 

13,220 

1911 

Total 

1912.... 

$2,159,024 

94  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF   CALlt^ORNlA. 

GRAPHITE. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Eeports  XIII,  XIY,  XV,  XVII. 
Bulletin  67.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.,  1914,  Pt.  II. 

Graphite  has  been  produced  from  time  to  time  in  the  state,  coming 
principally  from  Sonoma  and  Los  Angeles  counties.  It  is  difficult  for 
these  deposits,  which  must  be  concentrated,  to  compete  with  foreign 
supplies,  which  go  on  the  market  almost  directly  as  they  came  from  the 
deposit.  Graphite  ores  are  concentrated  with  considerable  difficulty, 
and  the  electric  process  of  manufacturing  artificial  graphite  from  coal 
has  been  perfected  to  such  a  degree  that  only  deposits  of  natural 
graphite  of  a  superior  quality  can  be  exploited  with -any  certainty  of 
success. 

According  to  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  operators  in  this  country 
who  are  working  disseminated  flake  deposits  must  depend  on  their  No.  1 
and  2  flake  for  their  profit.  Graphite  dust  is  merely  a  by-product  and 
is  salable  only  at  a  low  price.  Improved  methods  of  graphite  milling 
adopted  promise  to  increase  largely  the  production  of  flake  of  better 
grade. 

The  principal  value  of  graphite  is  on  account  of  its  infusibility  and 
resistance  to  the  action  of  molten  metals.  It  is  also  largely  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  electrical  appliances,  of  'lead'  pencils,  as  a  lubricant, 
as  stove  polish,  paints,  and  in  many  other  ways.  Ambrphous  graphite, 
commonly  carrying  many  impurities,  brings  a  much  lower  price.  For 
some  purposes,  such  as  foundry  facings,  etc.,  the  low-grade  material  is 
satisfactory.  Among  the  interesting  uses  for  graphite  is  the  prevention 
of  formation  of  scale  in  boilers.  The  action  is  a  mechanical  one. 
Being  soft  and  slippery,  the  graphite  prevents  the  particles  of  scale 
from  adhering  to  one  another  or  to  the  boiler  and  they  are  thus 
easily  removed. 

The  price  increases  with  the  grade  of  miaterial,  the  best  quality 
crystalline  variety  being  quoted  at  present  at  5.2^-6^  per  pound 
(Ceylon  lumps)  ;  with  crude  amorphous  $15-$35  per  ton. 

The  coarser  flakes  are  necessary  for  crucibles,  as  they  help  to  bind  the 
clay  together  in  addition  to  their  refractory  service.  Since  the  close 
of  hostilities  in  Europe,  prices  have  declined  to  pre-war  levels;  and 
imports  have  been  resumed  from  Ceylon,  Canada,  Madagascar,  Mexico 
and  Korea,  of  a  total  of  19,817  tons  valued  at  $606,336  in  1923. 

Occurrence  of  graphite  has  been  reported  at  various  times  from 
Calaveras,  Fresno,  Imperial,  Los  Angeles,  Mendocino,  San  Bernardino, 
San  Diego,  Siskiyou,  Sonoma  and  Tuolumne  counties. 

During  1923  there  was  no  commercial  production  of  graphite  in 
California.  For  several  years  past,  a  single  plant  in  Los  Angeles 
County  has  been  concentrating  graphite  from  a  disseminated  ore,  the 
product  being  utilized  for  paint  and  for  foundry  facing. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


95 


Graphite   Production  of  California,   by  Years. 

According  to  the  records  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  the  graphite 
production  of  California,  by  years,  has  been  as  follows : 


Tear 

Pounds 

Value 

1901                                         _             _                                __      

128,000 
84,000 

$4,480 

1902                              

1,680 

1903 

1913  

2.500 

25 

1914 

1915          __                  __                           

1916  „    __    __    

29,190 
*770,000 

*624,000 

2,335 

1917   __- -1 

1918  _ 

1919   

- 

: 

37,225 

1920 1 

1921   

-  -      -   1 

1922   . 

^          ( 

26,160 

1923 

Totals 

1,637,690 

$71,905 

♦Annual  details  concealed  under  'Un apportioned,'  on  account  of  a  single  producer. 


GYPSUM. 

Bibliography:  Reports  XIY,  XY,  XVII,  XVIIl!     Bulletins  38, 
67,  91.     U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Bull.  223,  413,  430,  697. 

During  1923,  one  operator  each  in  Imperial,  Kern,  Riverside  and 
San  Bernardino  counties  produced  a  total  of  86,410  tons  of  gypsum 
valued  at  $289,136,  compared  with  47,084  tons,  worth  $188,336  in  1922. 
The  material  was  utilized  mainly  in  cement  manufacture,  plaster,  and 
for  fertilizer.  The  1923  shipments  of  gypsum  were  the  largest  in  the 
history  of  the  industry  in  California,  the  increase  being  due  to  the 
opening  up  of  a  deposit  in  western  Imperial  County,  by  the  Imperial 
Gypsum  and  Oil  Company. 

Uses. 

The  most  important  use  of  gypsum]  from  the  quantity  standpoint 
is  in  the  calcined  form  where  it  is  utilized  in  the  manufacture  of 
various  hard-wall  plasters  and  plaster  board.  As  plaster  of  paris,  it 
plays  a  very  important  part  in  surgical  work.  Approximately  2% 
of  raw  gypsum  is  added  to  the  manufacture  of  Portland  cement  just 
before  the  final  grinding.  In  this  application,  the  gypsum  acts  as  a 
retarder  to  the  set  of  the  cement.  The  use  of  gypsum  tile  for  non- 
bearing  fireproof  partitions,  stairway  and  elevator  enclosures,  and  the 
protection  of  steel  columns,  girders  and  beams,  has  increased  greatly. 

Land  plaster  may  be  applied  to  the  soil  by  drilling,  or  scattered  in 
the  hill,  or  it  may  be  sowed  broadcast,  in  quantities  ranging  from  200 
to  500  pounds  to  the  acre. 


96 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Total   Production  of  Gypsum   In   California. 

Production  of  gypsum  annually  in  California  since  such  records  have 
been  compiled  by  this  Bureau  is  as  follows : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887 

2.700 
2,500 
3,000 
3,000 
2,000 
2,000 
1,620 
2,446 
5.158 
1,310 
2,200 
3,100 
3,663 
2,522 
3,875 

10,200 
6,914 
8,350 

12,859 

$27,000 
25.000 
30.000 
30,000 
20,000 
20.000 
14.280 
24,584 
51,014 
12,580 
19,250 
23,600 
14,950 
10,088 
38,750 
53,500 
46,441 
56,592 
54,500 

1906 _ 

21.000 
8.900 
34.600 
30,700 
45,294 
31,457 
37,529 
47,100 
29,734 
20,200 
33,384 
30,825 
19,695 
19,813 
20.507 
37.412 
47,084 
86,410 

$69,000 

1888- . 

1907 

57,700 

1889 

1908  . 

155,400 

1890 

1909 

138,176 

1891 

1910 

129,152 

1892 

1911 

101,475 

1893....  . 

1912 

117,388 

1894.. 

1913 

135,050 

1895 

1914 

78,375 

1896 _ 

1915 

48,953 

1897 _ 

1916. 

59,533 

1898. 

1917___ 

56,840 

1899. 

1918 

37,176 

1900 

1919 

50,579 

1901 

1920 

92,535 

1902 

1921 

78,875 

1903 

1922 

188,336 

1904  . 

1923 

289,136 

1905 

Totals.  __ __ 

681,052 

$2,455,808 

INFUSORIAL  and   DIATOMACEOUS   EARTH. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  XII-XVI  (inc.), 
XV,  XVII-XIX  (inc.) .  Bulletins  38,  67.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng., 
Bull.  104,  August,  1915,  pp.  1539-1550.  U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines, 
Rep.  of  Investigations:  Serial  No.  2431,  Jan.,  1923.  Eng.  & 
Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  115,  pp.  1152-1154,  June  30,  1923. 

Infusorial  and  diatomaceous  earths — sometimes  called  tripolite — are 
very  light  and  extremely  porous,  chalk-like  materials  composed  of  pure 
silica  (chalk,  being  calcareous)  which  have  been  laid  down  under  water 
and  consist  of  the  remains  of  microscopical  infusoria  and  diatoms. 
The  former  are  animal  remains,  and  the  latter  are  from  plants.  The 
principal  comimercial  use  of  this  material  is  as  an  absorbent.  It  is  also 
employed  in  the  manufacture  of  scouring  soap  and  polishing  powders; 
for  filtration  purposes ;  in  making  some  classes  of  refractory  brick ;  and 
as  an  insulating  medium  both  in  heating  and  refrigeration.  It  is  a 
first-class  nonconductor  of  heat,  where  high  temperatures  are  employed, 
such  as  around  steel  and  gas  plants  and  power  houses.  In  such  cases, 
it  is  built  in  as  an  insulating  layer  in  furnace  walls.  In  Germany, 
under  the  name  '  kieselguhr, '  it  was  used  as  an  absorbent  for  nitro- 
glycerine in  the  early  manufacture  of  dynamite. 

As  a  nonconductor  of  heat  it  has  been  used  alone  or  with  other  mate- 
rials as  a  covering  for  boilers,  steam  pipes,  and  safes  and  in  fireproof 
cements.  It  is  used  largely  by  paint  manufacturers  as  a  wood  filler. 
Boiled  with  shellac  it  is  made  into  records  for  talking  machines.  It  has 
been  used  for  absorbing  liquid  manures  so  that  they  could  be  utilized 
as  fertilizers,  and  as  a  source  of  silica  in  making  water-glass  as  well  as 
in  the  manufacture  of  cement,  tile  glazing,  artificial  stone,  ultramarine 
and  other  pigments  of  aniline  and  alizarine  colors,  paper  filling,  sealing 
wax,  fireworks,  hard-rubber  objects,  matches,  and  papier  mache,  and 
for  solidifying  bromide.     For  making  insulating  brick  the  material  is 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


97 


sawed  into  blocks,  and  for  all  other  purposes  it  is  ground  and 
screened. 

The  most  important  deposits  in  California  thus  far  known  are  located 
in  Monterey,  Orange,  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  Santa  Barbara  counties. 
The  Santa  Barbara  material  is  diatomaceous  and  is  of  a  superior 
quality.  Infusorial  or  diatomaceous  earths  are  also  found  in  Fresno, 
Kern,  Los  Angeles,  Plumas,  San  Benito,  San  Bernardino,  San  Joaquin, 
Shasta,  Sonoma,  and  Tehama  counties. 

As  practically  90%  of  the  output  in  California  is  from  a  single 
operator,  we  have  concealed  the  exact  figures  under  the  ^Unappor- 
tioned'  item  in  the  state  and  county  totals.  There  were  seven  operators 
in  1923  in  Los  Angeles,  Monterey,  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  Santa  Barbara 
counties. 

The  material  shipped  was  utilized  for  insulation,  filtration,  paint 
pigment,  and  for  clarification  of  gasoline  and  kerosene. 

Total    Production   of    Diatomaceous    Earth    in    California. 

The  first  recorded  production  of  these  materials  in  California 
occurred  in  1889 ;  total  amount  and  value  of  output,  to  date,  are  as 
follows: 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1889 _ 

39 

$1,335 

1907 __    _ 

2,531 

2,950 

500 

1,843 

2,194 

4,129 

8,645 

12,840 

12.400 

15,322 

24.301 

35,963 

40,200 

60,764 

*90,739 
* 

$28,948 

1890 

1908 

32,012 

1891  ._ 

1909 _ 

3,500 

1892  ___ ■ 

1910 

17,617 

1893 

50 
51 

2,000 
2,040 

1911      

19,670 

1894  ..__ _ „ 

1912 

17,074 

1895  -__ 

1913       -    

35,968 

1896 

1914 

80,350 

1897 

5 

200 

1915 

62,000 

1898  _ 

1916 

80,649 

1899 

1917 

1918                     - 

127,510 

190O 

189,459 

1901 

1919            — 

217,800 

1902 

422 
2,703 
6,950 
3,000 
2,430 

2,532 

16,015 

112,282 

15,000 

14,400 

1920                         

1,056,260 

1903 

1921  1 

1922 ^ 

1923    -      -  .      

1,016,675 

1904 _ _. 

1905 

1906  —    — 

Totals 

330,971 

$3,151,296 

*Annual  details  concealed  under   'Unapportioned. 


LIMESTONE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  XII-XV  (inc.), 
XVII-XIX  (inc.).  Bulletins  38,  91.  Oregon  Agr.  College, 
Extension  Bulletin  305. 

'Industrial'  limestone  was  produced  in  nine  counties  during  1923,  to 
the  amount  of  143,266  tons,  valued  at  $348,464,  being  an  increase 
both  in  quantity  and  value  over  the  1922  output  of  84,382  tons,  worth 
$282,181. 

The  amount  here  given  does  not  include  the  limestone  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  cement  nor  for  macadam  and  concrete,  nor  of  lime, 
for  building  purposes ;  but  accounts  ,f or  that  utilized  as  a  smelter  and 
foundrv  flux,  for  glass  and  sugar  making,  and  other  special  chemical 

7—35173 


98 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 


and  manufaeturing  processes.  It  also  includes  that  utilized  for  fer- 
tilizers (agricultural  'lime'),  'roofing  gravel,'  paint  filler,  whiting  for 
paint,  putty,  kalsomine,  terrazzo,  paving  dust,  concrete  filler,  chicken 
grit,  carbon  dioxide  gas,  'paving  compound,'  and  facing  dust  for 
concrete  pipe.  That  indicated  in  the  table  below  as  coming  from 
Santa  Clara  County  and  a  part  of  that  from  Los  Angeles  is  calcareous 
marl  sold  for  agricultural  purposes.  Of  the  total  product  in  1923 
approximately  23,000  tons  valued  at  $,101,000  was  used  for  agricultural 
purposes. 

Distribution  of  the  1923  output  was  as  follows : 


County 


Tons 


Value 


El   Dorado    

Los  Angeles 

San    Bernardino    

Santa  Clara 

Santa    Cruz    

Tuolumne    

Tulare    

Contra  Costa,  Kern,   Shasta' 

Totals 


95,274 

$163,987 

2,717 

8,779 

5,859 

28,324 

8,252 

49,512 

6,733 

14,242 

3,140 

7,680 

15,500 

57,500 

5,791 

18,440 

143,266 

$348,464 

*  Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 
Limestone   Production   of   California,   by   Years. 

The  following  tabulation  gives  the  amounts  and  value  of  'industrial' 
limestone  produced  in  California  by  years,  since  1894  when  compilation 
of  such  records  was  begun  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau.  These  ton- 
nages consist  principally  of  limestone  utilized  for  flux,  glass  and  sugar 
making,  agricultural,  chemical,  and  other  special  industrial  purposes. 
That  utilized  in  cement  manufacturers  not  included. 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1894 

15,420 

71,355 

68.184 

36,796 

27,686 

30,769 

32,791 

76,937 

71,422 

125,919 

40,207 

192,749 

80,262 

230,985 

273,890 

337,676 

$19,275 

71.690 

71,112 

38,556 

24,548 

29,185 

31,532 

99,445 

90,524 

163,988 

87,207 

323,325 

162,827 

406,041 

297,264 

419,921 

1910 

684.635 

516.398 

613,375 

301,918 

572,272 

146,324 

187,521 

237.279 

208,566 

88,291 

90,120 

75,921 

84,382 

143,266 

$581,208 

1895 ._ 

1911 

452,790 

1896 

1912 

570.248 

1897. _ 

1913-. 

274,455 

1898  . 

1914 

517,713 

1899 

1915... 

156,288 

1900 

1916.. _ - 

217,733 

1901... 

1917 

356.396 

1902 

1918 

456,258 

1903 

1919 

248,145 

1904.. 

1920 

298,197 

1905... 

1921 

305,912 

1906 

1922... 

282,181 

1907 

1923 

348,464 

1908 

Totals      

1909 

5,663,316 

$7,402,428 

LITHIA. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  IV,  XIV.     Bulletins 
38,  67,  91. 

Lithia  mica,  lepidolite  (a  silicate  of  lithium  et  al.)  utilized  in  the 
manufacture  of  artificial  mineral  water,  fireworks,  glass,  etc.,  has  been 
mined  in  San  Diego  County  since  1899,  except  between  1905  and  1915. 
Some  amblygonite,  a  lithium  phosphate,  has  also  been  obtained  from 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION. 


99 


pockets  associated  with  the  gem  tourmalines.  The  lepidolite  marketed 
in  1922  was  utilized  in  glass  manufacture.  There  was  none  shipped 
in  1923. 

Lithia  mica  total  production  in  the  state  has  been  as  follows: 


Tear 

Tom 

Value     11                   Year 

Tons 

Value 

1899 _ 

124 
440 
1,100 
822 
700 
641 
25 

$4,600 
11,000 

1916 

71 

880 

4,111 

800 

10,046 

*1.365 

$1,065 

1900 

1917       -                   

8,800 

1901  _ 

27,500 
31,880 
27,300 
25,000 
276 

1 1918 

1 1919 

73,998 

1902  _ 

14,400 

1903  _ 

'1920 

153,502 

1904    

1921 ) 

1922 ^ 

1923 

1905      

20,781 

1906 

91 

1,365 

Totals 

1915     _-    -_    

21,216 

$401,467 

♦Annual  details  concealed  under  'Unapportioned. 


MICA. 


Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  IV.  Bulletins  38,  67, 
91.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Bull.  740;  Min.  Res.  of  U.  S.  Eng.  & 
Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  115,  pp.  55-60,  Jan.  13,  1923. 

No  commercial  production  of  mica  has  recently  been  reported  in 
California.     Production  in  previous  years  has  been  as  follows: 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1902                    ._      _ 

50 
50 
50 

$2,500 

1903     

3,800 

1904   

3,000 

Totals 

150 

$9,300 

Classification  and   Uses. 

Practically  all  marketable  mica  is  of  the  muscovite  or  phlogopite 
varieties.  There  are  three  main  commercial  classes :  Sheet  mica,  includ- 
ing punch ;  splittings,  and  scrap.  Sheet  mica  is  used  chiefly  for 
electrical  purposes  and  for  glazing;  splittings  are  made  into  built-up 
mica ;  scrap  is  ground  to  a  powder.  Mica  to  be  classified  as  sheet  must 
yield  a  rectangle  of  at  least  1^  x  2  in.,  must  split  evenly  and  freely, 
be  free  from  cracks,  rulings,  or  plications,  and  reasonably  free  from 
inclusions  of  foreign  matter,  though  stains  of  a  nonconducting  character 
are  permissible  for  some  uses.  Ability  to  withstand  heat  and  high 
electrical  resistance  have  led  to  a  wide  application  of  sheet  mica  in 
the  electrical  industries.  The  electrical  uses  of  sheet  mica  greatly 
exceed  all  others  in  quantity  and  value  of  the  material*  used. 

As  a  heat-resisting  transparent  medium,  sheet  mica  has  various  uses. 
It  is  widely  employed  for  stove  windows,  though  this  use  has  declined 
to  a  considerable  extent.  A  hard  and  rigid  mica  that  is  nearly  clear 
is  best  suited  for  stove  fronts.  High-grade  stove  mica  commands  a 
higher  price  than  electrical  mica,  because  for  the  most  part  larger 
sizes  are  demanded.  Mica  is  also  used  in  furnace  and  bake-oven  sight- 
holes,  heat  screens,  lamp  chimneys,  canopies  and  shades,  particularly 
for  gas  mantles,  and  also  for  military  lanterns  and  in  lantern  slides. 


100 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Its  ability  to  withstand  shocks  and  strains,  combined  with  its  trans- 
parency, has  led  to  wide  use  in  motor  goggles,  spectacles,  diver's 
helmets,  smoke  helmets,  compass  cards,  gage  fronts,  and  in  windows 
subject  to  shock,  as  in  the  conning  towers  of  warships.  On  account 
of  its  heat-resisting  qualities,  ground  mica  is  used  in  railroad  car  axle 
packings,  in  pipe  and  boiler  coverings,  in  fire-proof  paints,  and  in 
rubber  tires.  Ground  mica  is  used  as  a  component  in  roofing,  as  a 
filler  in  rubber  and  other  products,  in  calico  printing,  and  as  a  tire 
powder.  It  is  used  also  in  tinsel  decorations,  and  as  ^  Santa  Glaus  snow ' 
for  Christmas  tree  and  window  decorations.  It  is  used  as  a  lubricant 
for  wooden  bearings,  and  mixed  with  oil  for  metal  bearings. 


MINERAL   PAINT. 

Bibliography  :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII-XIX  (inc.). 
tins  38,  91. 


Bulle- 


Mineral  paint  materials  were  produced  in  Galifornia  in  1923  from 
a  total  of  five  properties  in  the  following  three  counties:  Nevada, 
Stanislaus,  and  Ventura.  The  total  amounted  to  1049  tons  at  $11,773, 
being  a  decrease  from  the  1620  tons  and  $13,277  of  1922.  The  material 
shipped  from  Nevada  Gounty  is  hematite;  from  Stanislaus,  yellow 
ochre ;  and  that  from  Ventura,  red  ochre. 

Mineral   Paint  Production   of  California,  by  Years. 

The  first  recorded  production  of  mineral  paint  materials  in  the  state 
was  in  the  year  1890.  The  output,  showing  annual  amount  and  value, 
since  that  time,  is  given  herewith : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1890 

40 
22 
25 
590 
610 
750 
395 
578 
653 

1,704 
529 
325 
589 

2,370 
270 
754 
250 
250 

$480 

880 

750 

26,795 

14,140 

8,425 

5,540 

8,165 

9,698 

20,294 

3,993 

875 

1,533 

3,720 

1,985 

4,025 

1,720 

1,720 

1908 

335 
305 
200 
186 
300 
303 
132 
311 
643 
520 
728 
1,780 
779 
446 
1,620 
1,049 

$2,250 

1891 _ 

1909 

2,325 

1892 

1910 

2,040 

1893 

1911 

1,184 

1894. 

1912   

1,800 

1895 

1913  . 

1,780 

1896 

1914 

847 

1897 

1915. 

1,756 

1898 

1916 

3,960 

1899  _ 

1917    -     

2,700 

1900. 

1918 

4,73a 

1901 

1919_. 

17,055 

1902 

1920 _ 

8,477 

1903 

1921 

4,748 

1904..  . 

1922       _._ 

13,277 

1905. 

1923          

11,773 

IQOR 

Totals 

1907 

19,741 

$188,448 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


101 


MINERAL  WATER. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  VI,  XII-XVIII  (inc.). 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Water  Supply  Paper  338.  Min.  Res.  1914,  1916. 
'Mineral  Springs  and  Health  Resorts  of  California,*  by  Dr. 
Winslow  Anderson,  1890.  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agr.,  Bur.  of  Chem., 
Bulletin  91. 

A  widespread  production  of  mineral  water  is  shown  annually  in 
California.  These  figures  refer  to  mineral  water  actually  bottled  for 
sale,  or  for  local  consumption.  Water  from  some  of  the  springs  having 
a  special  medicinal  value  brings  a  price  many  times  higher  than  the 
average  shown,  while  in  some  cases  the  water  is  used  merely  for  drink- 
ing purposes  and  sells  for  a  nominal  figure.  Health  and  pleasure 
resorts  are  located  at  many  of  the  springs.  The  waters  of  some  of  the 
hot  springs  are  not  suitable  for  drinking,  but  are  very  efficacious  for 
bathing. 

From  a  therapeutic  standpoint,  California  is  particularly  rich  in 
mineral  springs.  The  counterparts  of  m:any  of  the  world-famed  spas 
of  Europe  and  the  eastern  United  States  can  be  found  here.  Radio- 
activity has  been  noted  in  at  least  two  localities  in  California:  At  The 
Geysers  in  Sonoma  County,  and  Arrowhead  Hot  Springs  in  San  Ber- 
nardino County.  It  doubtless  exists  at  others,  but  the  State  Mining 
Bureau  has  not  as  yet  had  funds  available  to  conduct  the  necessary 
investigations  along  this  line. 

Commercial  production  of  mineral  water  in  California  for  1923 
amounted  to  a  total  of  5,487,276  gallons  valued  at  $616,919,  being  an 
increase  both  in  quantity  and  value  over  the  1922  figures  which  were 
4,276,346  gallons  and  $486,424.  These  are  also  the  highest  figures 
recorded  for  any  year  in  the  history  of  the  state's  industry.  The 
1923  output  was  distributed  by  counties,  as  follows: 


Mineral  Water  Production,   by  Counties,  1923. 

County 

Gallons 

Value 

Butte 

3,700 

1,626 

63,730 

440,563 

69,639 

63,855 

59,795 

81,200 

200,150 

30,661 

4,472,357 

5,487,276 

$3,300 

569 

Lake 

44,738 

Los    Angeles    _-- 

Ncipci 

24,787 
55,757 

5,277 

6,570 

80,300 

4,042 

Santa    Barbara    

Siskiyou 

Sonoma 

7,106 

Contra    Costa,    Humboldt,    Marin,    Monterey,     San 
Benito,     San     Bernardino,     San     Luis    Obispo, 
Santa  Clara,  Solano* 

384,473 

Totals 

$616,919 

♦Combined  to  ccmceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 


102 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


The  production  above  tabulated  was  in  part  bottled  with  artificial 
carbonation,  in  part  natural  and  a  large  part  was  used  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  soft  drinks  with  flavors. 

Although  some  of  the  operators  complain  that  prohibition  has  all 
but  killed  off  the  mineral  water  business,  the  reports  of  actual  produc- 
tion of  mineral  water  bottled  and  sold  indicate  an  encouraging  growth 
and  a  material  increase  annually  both  in  total  quantity  and  value. 

Mineral  Water  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Mineral  water  was  bottled  for  sale,  at  the  Napa  Soda  Springs,  Napa 
County,  as  early  as  1860,  and  at  other  springs  in  California,  notably 
The  Geysers,  Sonoma  County,  also  at  early  dates;  but  there  are  no 
figures  available  earlier  than  the  year  1887.  Amiounts  and  values, 
annually,  since  that  year  are  shown  herewith: 


Year 

Gallons 

Value 

Year 

Gallons 

Value 

1887 

618.162 

1,112,202 

808,625 

258,722 

334.553 

331,875 

383,179 

402.275 

701,397 

808,843 

1,508,192 

1,429,809 

1.338.537 

2.456.115 

1,555,328 

1,701,142 

2,056,340 

2,430,320 

2.194.150 

$144,368 
252.990 
252.241 

89,786 
139.959 
162,019 

90,667 
184,481 
291,500 
337,434 
345,863 
213,817 
406,601 
268,607 
559,057 
612,477 
558.201 
496,946 
533,700 

1900      —    . 

1.585,690 
2.924.269 
2,789,715 
2,449.834 
2.335.259 
2,637,669 
2,497,794 
2,350,792 
2,443,572 
2,274,267 
2,273,817 
1,942.020 
1,808,791 
2,233,842 
2,391,791 
3,446,278 
4.276.346 
5,487,276 

$478,186 

1888 

1907    

544,016 

1889    

1908      

560,507 

1890    

1909       — 

465.488 

1891          

1910       

522,009 

1892 

1911 

590,654 

1893 - 

1912 

529,384 

1894 - 

1913  _ 

599,748 

1895    — 

1914    -_ 

476,169 

1896       

1915       

467,738 

1897              

1916       

410,112 

1898              -      

1917              _ 

340,566 

1899 

1918 

375,650 

1900 

1919  _ - 

340,117 

1901    

1920 

421,643 

1902    

1921                    -1-  - 

367,476 

1903 - 

1922      

486,424 

1904              

1923 

616,919 

Totals 

1905       -    —    

^    70,578,788 

$14,538,610 

PHOSPHATES. 

Bihliography:  Bulletins  67,  91. 

No  commercial  production  of  phosphates  has  been  recorded  from 
California,  though  occasional  pockets  of  the  lithium  phosphate, 
amblygonite,  Li  (AlF)  PO4,  have  been  found  associated  with  the  gem 
tourmaline  deposits  in  San  Diego  County.  Such  production  has  been 
classified  under  lithia. 


PUMICE  and  VOLCANIC  ASH. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIV,  XV,  XVII, 
XVIII.     Bulletin  38  (See  'Tufa'). 

The  production  of  pumice  and  volcanic  ash  for  the  year  1923 
amounted  to  2,936  tons  valued  at  $16,309  and  came  from  properties 
in  Imperial,  Inyo,  and  Kern  counties.  This  is  an  increase  both  in 
tonnage  and  value  over  the  1922  shipments.  The  material  from 
Imperial  County  is  of  the  vesicular,  block  variety  and  wa^  sold  for 
abrasive  purposes  and  for  concrete  aggregate;  that  from  Inyo  and 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


108 


Kern  is  the  volcanic  ash,  or  tuff  variety,  and  was  employed  in  making 
soap  and  cleanser  compounds. 

Commercial  production  of  pumice  in  California  was  first  reported  to 
the  State  Mining  Bureau  in  1909,  then  not  again  until  1912,  since  which 
year  there  has  been  a  small  annual  output,  as  indicated  by  the  follow- 
ing table: 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1909 _ 

50 

$500 

1917 ___ 

525 
2,114 
2,388 
1,537 
406 
613 
2,936 

$5,295 

1910 .     _ 

1918 

28,669 

1911. _ _ 

1919. 

43,657 

1912 

100 

3,590 

50 

380 
1,246 

2,500 
4,500 
1,000 
6,400 
18,092 

1920 

25,890 

1913 _ 

1921 

6,310 

1914 

1922 

4,248 

1915.. 

1923 

16,309 

1916 

Totals. 

15,935 

$163,370 

PYRITES. 

Bibliography:    Report    XVIII.     Bulletins    38,    91. 
Press,  Vol.  114,  pp.  825,  840. 


Min.    &    Sci. 


A  total  production  of  148,004  short  tons  of  pyrites,  valued  at 
$555,308,  was  reported  shipped  in  California  during  1923,  from  prop- 
erties operated  in  Alameda,  Mariposa,  and  Shasta  counties.  This  was  a 
slight  decrease  in  both  tonnage  and  value  from  the  figures  of  151,381 
tons  and  $570,425  in  1922.  The  material  was  mostly  used  in  the 
mianufacture  of  sulphuric  acid,  but  a  portion  was  utilized  directly  in 
the  preparation  of  agricultural  fertilizer  and  insecticide.  The  sul- 
phuric acid  made  is  mainly  used  in  the  manufacture  of  explosives 
and  of  fertilizers. 

This  does  not  include  the  large  quantities  of  pyrite,  chalcopyrite  and 
other  sulphides  which  are  otherwise  treated  for  their  valuable  metal 
contents.  Some  sulphuric  acid  is  annually  made  as  a  by-product  in 
the  course  of  roasting  certain  tonnages  of  Mother  Lode  auriferous 
concentrates  while  under  treatment  for  their  precious-metal  values. 

Pyrites  Production   in   California,  by  Years. 

The  total  recorded  pyrites  production  in  California  to  date  is  as 
follows : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1898 

6,000 

5,400 

3,642 

4,578 

17,525 

24,311 

15,043 

15,503 

46,689 

82,270 

107,081 

457.867 

42.621 

$30,000 

28,620 

21,133 

18,429 

60,306 

94,000 

62,992 

63,958 

145,895 

251,774 

610,335 

1.389,802 

179,862 

1 

1911  .„_ 

54,225 

69,872 

79,000 

79,267 

92,462 

120,525 

111,325 

128,329 

147,024 

146,001 

110,025 

151,381 

148,004 

$182,954 
203,470 
218,537 
230,058 
293,148 
372,969 
323,704 
425.012 
540,300 
530,581 
473,735 
570,425 
555,308 

1899 

1912  _ 

1900  __ 

1913 

1901 

1914 __    __ 

1902 

1915  _ ..__ 

1916 

1903 

1904 

1917 

1905 _ 

1918  _.: 

1906 _ 

1919 

1907 

1920 

1908 „    . 

1921 

1909 _ 

1922 

1923 

1910 

Totals 

2,265,970 

$7,877,357 

104  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

SHALE  OIL. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Report  XIX.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv., 
Bulletins  322,  729,  U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bull.  210.  Eng.  &  Min. 
Jour.-Press,  Vol.  118,  No.  8,  pp.  290-292,  Aug.  23,  1924. 

Oil  shale  is  defined  by  Gavin^  as  follows: 

"Oil  shale  is  a  compact,  laminated  rock  of  sedimentary  origin,  yielding  over  33  per 
cent  of  ash  and  containing  organic  matter  that  yields  oil  when  distilled,  but  not 
appreciably  when  extracted  with  the  ordinary  solvents  for  petroleum. 

******* 

"Oil  shales  contain  a  substance,  or  substances,  usually  classed  as  a  pyro-bitumen, 
that  by  destructive  distillation,  or  pyrolysis,  yields  oils  somewhat  similar  to  petroleum. 
These  substances  have  been  termed  'kerogen'  from  two  Greek  words  meaning  producer 
of  wax." 

The  Scottish  oil  shales  are  also  known  as  'torbanite.' 

The  so-called  'oil  shales'  of  California  do  not  for  the  most  part 
conform  to  the  above  definition,  as  the  greater  part  of  the  oil  obtained 
from  them  occurs  as  such  and  can  be  extracted  by  suitable  solvents. 
The  most  extensive  deposits  in  this  State  are  part  of  the  Monterey 
formiation  of  Tertiary  age,  and  physically  and  chemically  are  different 
from  the  oil  shales  of  Scotland  and  from  other  oil  shales  in  the  United 
States.  The  mineral  matter  of  this  shale  is  diatomaceous ;  the  beds 
that  yield  oil  occur  in  massive  formation;  and  when  freshly  broken 
smell  strongly  of  petroleum.  Most  geologists  consider  the  Monterey 
shales  to  have  been  the  origin  of  the  oil  in  some  of  the  oil  fields  of 
California. 

Although  the  extraction  of  shale  oil  has  been  a  matter  of  commercial 
practice  on  a  considerable  scale  for  many  years  in  Scotland,  France, 
and  Australia,  it  has  not  attained  any  great  commercial  importance 
as  yet  in  the  United  States.  Technical  knowledge  of  the  subject, 
however,  is  increasing.  With  the  gradual  depletion  of  the  under- 
ground reserves  of  liquid  oil,  it  is  merely  a  matter  of  time  until  the 
development  of  the  oil  shales  of  the  United  States  will  be  an  economic 
necessity.  The  recovery  of  by-product  ammonium  sulphate  is  an 
important  feature  of  the  process. 

Two  plants  on  a  more  or  less  experimental  scale  have  been  in  opera- 
tion in  California  the  past  three  or  four  years,  with  commercial  produc- 
tion beginning  in  a  small  way  in  1922.  The  product,  in  part,  has  been 
sold  for  utilization  as  a  flotation  oil  in  metallurgical  work,  and  part 
has  been  consumed  as  fuel  at  the  plants.  Both  plants  report  output 
for  1923,  the  amount  and  value  being  concealed  under  the  'unappor- 
tioned'  item. 

SILICA   (Sand  and  Quartz). 

Bibliography:  State  Mineral  Reports,  IX,  XIV,  XV,  XVII, 
XVIII.     Bulletins  38,  67,  91. 

We  combine  these  materials  because  of  the  overlapping  roles  of  vein 
quartz  which  is  mined  for  use  in  glass  making  and  as  an  abrasive,  and 
that  of  silica  sand  which,   although  mainly  utilized  in  glass  manu- 

^  Gavin,  M.  J.,  Oil  shale,  an  historical,  technical,  and  economic  study  :  TJ.  S,  Bur.  of 
Mines,  Bull.   210,  p.   26,   1924. 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  105 

facture,  also  serves  as  an  abrasive.  Both  varieties  are  also  utilized  to 
some  extent  in  fire-brick  manufacture. 

A  portion  of  the  tonnage  of  vein  quartz  in  California  in  1916  and 
1917  was  employed  in  the  preparation  of  ferro-silicon  by  the  electric 
furnace.  At  present,  some  is  utilized  as  a  foundry  flux,  and  for  steel- 
casting  moulds.  A  portion  of  the  silica  sold  (both  sand  and  quartz) 
is  also  used  in  glazes  for  porcelain,  pottery  and  tile,  and  in  the  body 
of  the  ware  to  diminish  shrinkage;  and  some  of  the  sand  for  the 
preparation  of  sodiiim  silicate  ('water  glass').  Manufacturers  of  paint 
use  finely  ground  silica,  which  forms  as  much  as  one-third  of  the  total 
pigment  in  some  paints.  For  certain  purposes  finely  ground  crystalline 
material  is  superior  in  paints  to  other  materials  because  of  the  angu- 
larity of  the  grains,  which  makes  them  adhere  more  firmly  to  the  article 
painted  and  after  wear  afford  a  good  surface  for  repainting.  The 
same  angularity  makes  artificially  comminuted  crystalline  quartz  supe- 
rior to  natural  sand  for  use  in  wood  fillers.  It  is  also  preferable  for 
soaps  and  polishing  powders. 

We  do  not  include  under  this  heading  such  forms  of  silica  as: 
quartzite,  sandstone,  flint,  tripoli,  diatomaceous  earth,  nor  the  gem 
forms  of  'rock  crystal,'  amethyst,  and  opal.  Each  of  these  has  various 
industrial  uses,  which  are  treated  under  their  own  designations. 

The  production  of  silica  in  California  in  1923  amounted  to  7,964 
tons  valued  at  $30,420,  from  eleven  properties  in  five  counties,  dis- 
tributed as  follows : 

County  Tons  Value 

Placer    3,656  $10,040 

Riverside 2,300  15,000 

Los  Angeles,  Monterey,   San  Diego*   2,008  5,380 

Totals 7,964  $30,420 

♦Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 

Of  the  above  total,  610  tons  was  of  sand,  and  7354  tons  of  vein 
and  boulder  quartz.  For  making  the  higher  grades  of  glass,  most  of 
the  sand  is  imported  from  Belgium.  There  are  various  deposits  of 
quartz  in  California  which  could  be  utilized  for  glass  making,  but  to 
date  they  have  not  been  so  used  owing  to  the  cost  of  grinding  and  the 
difficulty  of  preventing  contamination  by  iron  while  grinding. 

Silica  sand  has  been  produced  in  the  following  counties  of  the  state : 
Alameda,  Amador,  El  Dorado,  Los  Angeles,  Monterey,  Orange,  Placer, 
Riverside,  San  Diego,  San  Joaquin,  and  Tulare.  The  chief  producing 
centers  have  been  Amador,  Monterey,  and  Los  Angeles  counties.  The 
industry  is  of  limited  importance,  so  far,  because  of  the  fact  that  much 
of  the  available  material  is  not  of  a  grade  which  will  produce  first-class 
colorless  glass;  for  such,  it  must  be  essentially  iron-free.  Even  a 
fractional  per  cent  of  iron  imparts  a  green  color  to  the  glass. 

Belgium  sand  is  also  displacing  local  material  in  the  manufacture  of 
sodium  silicate  ('water  glass'),  causing  the  closing  down  of  operations 
in  January  of  last  year  of  the  sand  plant  of  the  Philadelphia  Quartz 
Company  in  Amador  County. 


106  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

Total  Silica   Production  of  California.  i 

Total  silica  production   in   California  since  the   inception   of  the 
industry,  in  1899,  is  shown  below,  being  mainly  sand : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1899 

3,000 
2.200 
5,000 
4,500 
7.725 

10,004 
9,267 
9.750 

11,065 
9,255 

12,259 

19,224 
8,620 

$3,500 

2.200 
16,250 
12,225 

7.525 
12,276 

8,121 
13,375 

8,178 
22,045 
25,517 
18,265 

8,672 

1912 

13,075 
18,618 
28,538 
28,904 
20,880 
19,376 
23,257 
18,659 
25,324 
10,569 
9,874 
7,964 

$15,404 

1900 

1913 

21,899 

1901    . 

1914 

22,688 

1902 

1915  .__ 

34,322 

1903 

1916 

48,908 

1904 - 

1917 _ 

41,166 

1905 - 

1918    

88,930 

1906 

1919 

101,600 

1907 - 

1920                   

96,793 

1908    

1921 

49,179 

1909 

1922                

31,016 

1910    

1923 

30,420 

1Q11' 

Totals 

336,807 

$740,474 

SILLIMANITE  and  ANDALUSITE. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Report  XX. 
Dana's  Mineralogy. 


Bulletins  67,  91. 


Sillimanite  and  andalusite  are  both  aluminum  silicates  (AlgSiOg), 
having  the  same  composition  and  formula,  but  with  slightly  different 
physical  characteristics.     Though  both  crystallize  in  the  orthorhombic 


White  Mountains,  Mono  County,  California,  showing  location  of  andalusite  mine 
of  Champion  Porcelain  Company,  at  elevation  of  10,000  feet  above  sea- 
level.     Photo  by  courtesy  of  J.  A.  Jeft'ery. 

system,  their  crystal  habits  are  different:  Andalusite  being  usually  in 
coarse  prismatic  forms,  the  prisms  nearly  square  in  shape ;  also  occurs 
massive,  imperfectly  columnar,  and  sometimes  l"adiated  and  granular. 
Sillimanite  commonly  occurs  in  long,  slender  crystals,  not  distinctly 
termlinated;   prismatic   faces   striated    and   rounded;    often    in    close 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


107 


parallel  groups,  passing  into  fibrous  and  columnar  massive  forms, 
sometimes  radiating.  Colors  are  similar.  Hardness,  andalusite  7.5, 
sillimanite  6-7.     Andalusite  is  slightly  lighter  in  specific  gravity. 

A  massive  deposit  of  andalusite,  found  in  Dry  Creek  Canyon  in  the 
White  Mountains  of  the  Inyo  Range,  in  Mono  County,  is  being  mined 


Andalusite  mine  of  Champion  Porcelain  Company,  in  White 
Mountains,  Mono  County,  California.  Photo  by  courtesy 
of  J.  A.   Jeffery. 


I    by   the    Champion    Porcelain    Company    of   Detroit,    Michigan.     The 

material  is  shipped  East  and  utilized  in  the  manufacture  of  porcelain 

I   for  automobile  spark  plugs,  and  for  other  high-tension  electric  insu- 


108  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

lators.  The  function  and  behavior  of  andalusite  are  described  by  Peck^ 
in  a  recent  paper,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for  details.  This  is 
apparently  the  only  deposit  of  either  andalusite  or  sillimanite  thus  far 
found  in  the  United  States  at  least  in  sufficient  quantity  to  be  of  com- 
mercial consequence.  Commercial  shipments  began  in  1922,  but  as; 
there  is  only  the  one  operator,  the  annual  tonnages  and  values  are: 
concealed  under  the  'unapportioned'  item. 

Cyanite  is  also  an  aluminum  silicate  (AlgSiOg),  of  the  same  chemical 
composition  as  andalusite  and  sillimanite,  but  crystallizing  in  the^ 
triclinic  system.  Occurs  usually  in  long-bladed  crystals,  rarely  termi- 
nated; hardness  5-7.25;  gravity  3.56-3.67  (being  heavier  than  the 
other  two)  ;  color,  blue.  A  deposit  of  cyanite,  apparently  in  quantity, 
has  been  located  in  Imperial  County,  near  Ogilby,  but  as  yet  no  ship- 
ments made  except  for  experimental  purposes.  If  its  physical  and 
chemical  behavior  prove  to  be  similar  to  andalusite,  it  too  will  have 
commercial  possibilities. 

SOAPSTONE  and  TALC. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIV,  XV,  XVII, 
XVIII.  Bulletins  38,  67,  91.  U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bulletin  213. 
Rep.  of  Investigations,  Serial  No.  2253,  May,  1921. 

The  total  output  of  talc  and  soapstone  in  California  in  1923  amounted 
to  17,439  tons  valued  at  $252,661,  compared  with  13,378  tons  valued  at 
$197,186  in  1922.  More  than  two-thirds  of  the  product  was  high- 
grade  talc  from  Inyo  and  San  Bernardino  counties,  which  material 
was  utilized  mainly  in  toilet  powders,  paint,  paper,  .and  rubber  manu- 
facture, and  in  part  in  magnesite  flooring  and  stucco.  The  'soapstone' 
grades  were  used  mainly  for  roofing  and  as  a  filler  in  roofing  paper, 
and  part  also  in  magnesite  cement. 

The  increase  in  production  in  1922-1923  was  due,  in  part  to  improve- 
ment in  the  eastern  demand  for  California  talc  on  account  of  its  high 
quality,  in  part  to  a  10%  reduction  in  freight  rates  in  July,  1922,  and 
in  part  to  the  increases  in  tariff  duties  placed  on  foreign  importations 
of  talc  by  the  Tariff  Act  of  1922  which  became  effective  in  September. 
It  is  reported  that  California  talc  is  steadily  replacing  imported  talc 
in  the  toilet  trade  on  the  basis  of  quality.  The  largest  production  of 
talc  in  the  United  States  comes  from  Vermont  and  New  York,  and  of 
massive  soapstone  from  Virginia. 

Composition  and  Varieties^ 

Talc  is  a  hydrous  magnesium  silicate  with  the  chemical  formula 
H2Mg3(Si03)4.  It  is  also  called  soapstone,  and  steatite.  The  term 
'talc'  properly  includes  all  forms  of  the  pure  mineral,  whereas  'steatite' 
denotes  particularly  the  massive,  compact  variety,  and  'soapstone'  the 
impure,  m'assive  forms  containing  as  low  as  50%  of  talc.  When  pure, 
talc  is  soft,  having  a  hardness  of  1,  but  impurities  increase  the  hardness 
up  to  3  or  4.     The  color  varies  from  pure  white  and  silvery  white 

^  Peck,  A.  B.,  Note  on  andalusite  from  California,  a  new  use  and  some  thermal 
properties:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Mining  in  Cal.,  being  AprH  chapter,  1924,  of  State 
Mineralogist  Report  XX,  pp.  149-154.     Also:  American  Mineralogist,  June  1924. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  109 

through  gray,  green,  apple  green,  to  dark  green,  also  yellow,  brown,  and 
reddish  when  impure.  It  is  commonly  compact  or  massive,  or  in 
fine  granular  aggregates,  and  often  in  foliated  plates  or  in  fibrous 
aggregates. 

Uses. 

Although  the  uses  of  talc  and  soapstone  are  many  and  varied,  some 
of  them  are  not  in  general  well  known  nor  fully  developed;  and 
although  few  of  their  uses  can  justly  be  considered  essential  in  the 
sense  that  no  substitutes  can  be  used,  there  are  several  which  are  of 
great  importance.  The  widest  use  of  talc  is  in  the  powdered  form, 
and  the  value  depends  upon  color  (whiteness),  uniformity,  fineness  of 
grain,  freedom  from  grit,  'slip,'  and  sometimes  freedom  from  lime. 
The  white  varieties,  free  from  grit  and  iron,  low  in  lime,  ground  to 
200-mesh  and  finer,  are  largely  used  as  a  filler  for  paper,  rubber  and 
paint,  and  the  very  highest  grade  as  toilet  powder.  Ground  talc  is  also 
used  in  dressing  and  coating  cloth,  in  making  soap,  rope,  twine,  pipe- 
covering  compounds,  heavy  lubricants,  and  polishes.  Ground  talc  and 
soapstone  are  used  for  foundry  facings,  either  alone  or  mixed  with 
graphite;  and  a  coarser  grade  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  asphalt- 
coated  roofing  felts  and  papers,  both  as  a  filler  and  as  a  surfacing. 
]\Iassive,  close-grained  talc,  free  from  iron  and  grit,  is  cut  into  blanks 
and  baked,  forming  the  material  used  for  gas  tips  and  electrical  insula- 
tion, commercially  known  as  'lava.'  Its  hardness,  its  resistance  to  heat, 
acids  and  alkalies,  and  its  great  dielectric  strength  make  it  very  useful 
for  electric  insulation,  and  no  satisfactory^  substitute  for  it  has  been 
found. 

Massive  varieties  of  talc,  pyrophyllite,  and  high  grades  of  soapstone 
are  cut  into  slate  pencils,  and  steel-workers'  crayons.  'French  chalk' 
or  'tailor's  chalk'  is  a  soft,  massive  talc.  In  China,  Japan,  and  India, 
massive  talc  (steatite)  is  carved  into  grotesque  images  and  other  forms, 
and  is  often  sold  as  imitation  jade.  Soapstone  is  usually  cut  into  slabs 
of  1  to  2  inches  in  thickness  and  sold  as  griddles,  footwarmers,  and 
fireless-cooker  stones,  or  fabricated  into  laundry  sinks  and  tubs,  labora- 
tory-table tops,  hoods,  tanks,  and  sinks,  electric  switchboards,  and  for 
other  uses  in  which  the  properties  of  resistance  to  heat,  acids,  and  alka- 
lies, and  electricity  are  essential. 

A  detailed  description  of  the  classification  and  uses  of  talc  and  soap- 
stone  was  given  in  the  statistical  report  for  1923  (Bulletin  93)  issued 
by  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  copies  of  which  are  still  available  for 
distribution. 

Imports. 

Foreign  importations  of  high-grade  white  talc  suitable  for  the  manu- 
facture of  toilet  powder  have  come  mainly  from  Canada,  Italy  and 
France.  Foreign  producers  have  the  benefit  of  cheap  labor,  and  a 
low  tariff  import  duty.  In  addition  to  these  disadvantages,  California 
operators  have  to  contend  with  transcontinental  freight  rates  to  the 
eastern  manufacturing  centers.  In  1923,  importations  totaled  19,406 
tons  valued  at  $409,600. 


110 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Californian   Production,  1923. 


California 's  production  of  talc  and  soapstone  in  1923  was  distributed 
by  counties  as  follows : 


County 

Tons 

Value 

El  Dorado 

2,670 
5,981 
7,248 
1,540 

17,439 

$15,729 

104,976 

123,216 

8,740 

$252,661 

Inyo 

San    Bernardino    

Amador    Butte,   Los  Angeles* 

Totals                                                               _     __ 

•Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 


Talc  Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

Production  has  been  intermittent  in  the  state  since  1893,  as  shown  in 
the  following  table : 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1893 _ 

400 

$17,750 

1909 __ 

33 
740 

$280 
7,260 

1894 

1910 __    .. 

1895  .- 

25 

375 

1911 __ 

1896 

1912 

1913 .. 

1,750 
1,350 
1.000 
1,663 
1,703 
5,267 

11,760 
8,764 

11,327 
8,752 

13,378 

17,439 

7,350 

1897 

6,150 

1898 

" 

1914 __ 

4,500 

1899 

1915 

14,750 

1900 

1916 

9,831 

1901 

10 

14 

219 

228 

30O 

119 

288 

10,124 

2,315 

3,000 

1917 

1918 

45,279 

1902 

85,534 

1903  _ _ 

1919 

115,091 

1904 

1920 

221,362 

1905 

1921  _ 

130,078 

1906 

1922  ..    

197,186 

1907 

1923 

252,661 

1Q0R 

3 

48 

Totals 

86,125 

$1,131,331 

STRONTIUM. 

Bibliography :  Bulletins  67,  91.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  540;  660-1.       \ 

There  has  been  no  production  of  strontium  minerals  in  California 
since  1918,  though  in  that  year  both  celestite  (SrS04),  and  the  car- 
bonate, strontianite  (SrCOg)  were  shipped.  The  first  recorded  com- 
mercial output  of  strontium  minerals  in  California  was  in  1916.  The 
occurrence  of  the  carbonate  is  particularly  interesting  and  valuable,  as 
it  appears  to  be  the  first  considerable  deposit  of  commercial  importance 
so  far  opened  up  in  the  United  States.  Shipments  reported  as  averag- 
ing 80%  SrCOg  have  been  made.  The  deposit  is  associated  with  deposits 
of  barite,  near  Barstow,  San  Bernardino  County.  The  carbonate  has 
also  been  found  in  massive  form  near  Shoshone,  Inyo  County.  In  addi- 
tion to  Imperial  County,  celestite  is  found  near  Calico  and  Ludlow, 
and  in  the  Avawatz  Mountains  in  San  Bernardino  County,  but  as  yet 
undeveloped. 


S1?ATIS*flCS  OF   ANisrUAL  PRODUCTION.  Ill 

Production  of  strontium  minerals  in  California,  by  years,  has  been  as 
follows : 


Tear 

1        Tons 

Value 

1916  57 

$2,850 

1917      a050 

37,000 

1918        - - 2,900 

33,000 

1919                                                                                                                       



Totals 

'           6.007 

$72,850 

The  principal  use  for  strontium'  in  the  United  States  is  in  the  form 
of  the  nitrate  in  the  manufacture  of  red  flares,  or  Costen  and  Bengal 
lights  and  fireworks.  Previous  to  1914,  the  nitrate  was  imported  from 
Germany,  England,  and  Sicily.  In  Germany  and  Russia,  strontium  in 
the  form  of  the  hydroxide  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  beet  sugar.  It 
is  stated  that  strontia  is  more  efficient  and  satisfactory  in  that  process 
than  lime,  as  it  gives  an  additional  recovery  of  6%  to  8%. 

Of  the  two  minerals,  strontianite  (carbonate)  and  celestite  (sul- 
phate), the  carbonate  is  the  more  desirable  as  it  is  easier  to  convert  to 
other  salts ;  but  it  is  scarcer.  Celestite  is  found  with  limestone  and 
sandstone  and  is  sometimes  associated  with  gypsum.  Strontianite  is 
also  found  with  limestone,  but  associated  with  barite  and  calcite. 

SULPHUR. 

Bibliography :  State  Mineralogist  Reports  IV,  XIII,  XIV.    Bulle- 
tins 38,  67,  91. 

In  1923  there  was  a  small  production  of  sulphur,  from  a  single 
property  in  Kern  County.  This  is  the  first  commercial  output  of 
native  sulphur  in  California  for  many  years  although  this  mineral 
has  been  found  to  some  extent  in  Colusa,  Imperial,  Inyo,  Kern,  Lake, 
Mariposa,  San  Bemardino,  Shasta,  Sonoma,  Tehama,  and  Ventura 
counties. 

Sulphur  was  produced  at  the  famous  Sulphur  Bank  mine  in  Lake 
County,  during  the  years  1865-1868  (inc.),  totaling  941  tons,  valued  at 
$53,500;  following  which  the  property  became  more  valuable  for  its 
quicksilver.  .The  Elgin  quicksilver  mine,  near  Wilbur  Springs,  Colusa 
County  is  a  similar  occurrence. 

The  principal  sources  in  the  United  States  are  the  stratified  deposits 
in  Louisiana  and  Texas,  extraction  being  accomplished  by  a  unique 
system  of  wells  with  steam  pipes.  It  is  stated  that  the  three  large 
companies  operating  there  are  capable  of  producing  more  than  1,00.0,000 
tons  annually  in  excess  of  our  normal  consumption  in  the  United  States, 
which  averages  about  600,000  tons.  The  mines  at  Freeport,  Texas,  are 
in  a  peculiarly  favorable  location  in  that  they  are  practically  at  tide- 
water. 

Formerly  considerable  sulphur  was  imported  from  Italy  and  from 
Japan;  but  the  situation  is  now  reversed,  so  that  in  1923,  a  total  of 
•  472,525  long  tons  valued  at  $7,105,260  was  exported  from  the  United 
States,  principally  to  Europe  and  Canada. 


]12 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER   SIX. 

SALINES. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  III,  XIV,  XV,  XVII- 
XX   (inc.).     Bulletin  24. 

Under  this  heading  are  included  borax,  common  salt,  soda,  potash, 
and  other  alkaline  salts.  The  first  two  have  been  produced  in  a  number 
of  localities  in  California,  more  or  less  regularly  since  the  early  sixties. 
Except  for  a  single  year's  absence,  soda  has  had  a  continuous  produc- 
tion since  1894.  Potash,  magnesium  chloride  and  sulphate,  and  calcium 
chloride  have  only  recently  been  added  to  the  commercial  list,  while  the 
nitrates  are  still  prospective. 

Our  main  resources  of  salines  are  the  lake  beds  of  the  desert  regions 
of  Imperial,  Inyo,  Kern,  Los  Angeles,  San  Bernardino,  and  San  Luis 
Obispo  counties,  and  the  waters  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

The  total  value  Tor  this  group  shows  an  increase  to  $4,614,619  in 
1923  from  the  1922  figure  of  $3,135,049,  as  detailed  in  the  following 
tabulations : 


Substance 

1922 

1923 

Increase+ 

Tons 

Value 

Tons 

Value 

Decrease - 
Value 

Borates 

■^39,087 

* 

3,036 

17,776 

223,238 

20,084 

$1,068,025 

* 

89,788 
584,388 
819,187 
573,661 

a62,667 

3,662 

29,597 

275,979 

34,885 

$1,893,798 

116,031 

709,836 

1,130,670 

764,284 

$825,773+ 

*       + 

Magnesium  salts 

26,243+ 

Potash 

125,448+ 

Salt 

311,483+ 

Soda 

190,623+ 

Total  value. 

$3,135,049 

$4,614,619 

$1,479,570+ 

•Concealed  under  'Undpportioned.' 

^Recalculated  to  40%  'anhydrous  boric  acid'  equivalent. 


BORATES. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  III,  X,  XII-XV  (inc.), 
XVII-XX  (inc.).     Bulletins  24,  67,  91. 

During  1923  there  was  produced  in  California,  a  total  of  118,601 
tons  of-  borate  materials,  compared  with  a  total  of  74,998  tons  for  the 
year  1922.  The  material  shipped  in  1923  included  crude  ^nd  selected 
colemanite  ore  from  Inyo,  Los  Angeles,  and  San  Bernardino  counties, 
varying  from  18.29%  to  28.24%  anhydrous  boric  acid    ("A.B.A.*'), 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  113 

also  crystallized  borax  recovered  from  evaporation  of  brines  at  Searles 
Lake  in  San  Bernardino  County. 

As  the  crude  ore  is  not  sold,  as  such,  and  is  almost  entirely  calcined 
before  shipping  to  the  refinery  for  conversion  into  the  borax  of 
commerce,  it  is  difficult  to  arrive  at  a  valuation  of  the  crude  ore  mined. 
For  this  reason  and  the  fact  that  the  material  varied  widely  in  boric 
acid  content,  we  have  re-calculated  the  tonnage  to  a  basis  of  40%  A.  B. 
A.  This  is  approximately  the  average  A.  B.  A.  content  of  the  cole- 
nianite  material  after  calcining,  in  which  condition  it  is  shipped  to  the 
refinery.  A  valuation  of  50^  per  unit  of  ^anhydrous  boric  acid'  was 
reported  for  the  calcined  material.  Recalculated  as  above,  the  1923 
production  totals  62,667  tons  valued  at  $1,893,798,  an  increase  over  the 
similar  figures  for  1922  which  were  39,087  tons  and  $1,068,025. 

Colemanite  is  a  calcium  borate,  and  the  material  mined  is  mostly 
shipped  to  eastern  chemical  plants  for  refining.  Eefined  ''borax' 
(sodium  tetraborate)  is  used  in  making  the  enameled  coating  for  cast- 
iron  and  steel-ware  employed  in  plumbing  fixtures,  chemical  equipment, 
and  kitchen  utensils.  It  is  also  a  constituent  of  borosilicate  glasses 
which  are  utilized  in  making  lamp  chimneys,  baking  dishes,  and 
laboratory  glassware.  Other  important  uses  of  borax  are  in  the  manu- 
facture of  laundry  and  kitchen  soaps,  in  starch,  paper  sizing,  tanning, 
welding,  and  in  the  preparation  of  boric  acid,  which  is  employed  as  an 
antiseptic  and  in  preserving  meats. 

Total  Production  of  Borate  Materials  in  California. 

Borax  was  first  discovered  in  California  in  the  waters  of  Tuscan 
Springs  in  Tehama  County,  January  8,  1856.  Borax  Lake,  in  Lake 
County,  was  discovered  in  September  of  the  same  year  by  Dr.  John  A. 
Veach.  This  deposit  was  worked  in  1864-1868,  inclusive,  and  during 
that  time  produced  1,181,365  pounds  of  refined  borax.  The  bulk  of 
it  was  exported  by  sea,  to  New  York.  This  was  the  first  commercial 
output  of  this  salt  in  the  United  States,  and  California  is  still  today 
the  leading  American  producer  of  borax,  having  been  for  many  years 
the  sole  producer. 

Production  from  the  dry  lake  'playa'  deposits  of  Inyo  and  San 
Bernardino  counties  began  in  1873 ;  but  it  was  not  until  1887  that  the 
borax  industry  was  revolutionized  by  the  discovery  of  the  colemanite 
beds  at  Calico,  in  San  Bernardino  County.  These  have  since  been 
largely  worked  out,  and  the  output  for  a  number  of  years  has  been 
coming  from  similar  beds  in  Inyo  and  Los  Angeles  counties.  In  1920 
San  Bernardino  County  again  entered  the  field  with  shipments  of 
such  ore  from  near  Daggett.  The  colemanite  deposits  of  Ventura 
County  are  at  present  unworked,  owing  to  lack  of  transportation 
facilities.  Some  production  of  colemanite  is  being  made  from  deposits 
recently  opened  up  in  Clarke  County,  Nevada. 


8—35173 


]14 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


The  total  production  of  borate  materials  in  California  is  shown  in 
the  following  table : 


Tear 


Tons 


1884 
1865 
1866 
1867 


1869  — . 
1870 

1871  ._.. 

1872  _-_- 

1873  _— 

1874  _... 

1875  _— 

1876  -_. 

1877  .... 

1878  — - 

1879  „.. 

1880  .... 

1881  .— 


1883 
1884 
1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 


12 
126 
201 
220 

32 


Value 


$9,478 

94,099 

132,538 

156,137 

22.384 


140 

89.6C0 

515 

255,440 

915 

259,427 

1,168 

289,080 

1,437 

312.537 

993 

193.705 

373 

66.257 

364 

65.443 

609 

149.245 

690 

189.750 

732 

201,300 

900 

265.500 

1.019 

198,705 

942 

155.430 

1.285 

173,475 

1,015 

116.689 

1,405 

•196,636 

965 

145.473 

3,201 

480,152 

4,267 

640,000 

5,525 

838,787 

3.955 

593.292 

Year 


1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
1918 
1919 
1920 
1921 
1922 
1923 


Tons 


5,770 

5,959 

6,754 

8,000 

8,300 

20,357 

25.837 

22,221 

"17,202 
34,430 
45,647 
46,334 
58,173 
53,413 
22,200 
16,628 
16,828 
50.945 
42,135 
58,051 
62,500 
67,004 

103,523 

109,944 
88,772 
66,791 

127.065 
50,136 

''39,087 
62.667 


Totals -_-.  1,375,679  $46,821,508 


Value 


$807,807 
595,900 
675,400 
1,080,000 
1,153,000 
1,139,882 
1,013,251 
982,380 
2,234,994 
661,400 
698,810 
1,019,15b 
1,182,410 
l,200,9ia 
1,117,000 
1,163,960 
1,177.960 
1,456,672 
l,122,7ia 
1,491,530 
1,483,500 
1,663,521 
2,400,375 
2,561,95b 
1,867,90b 
1,717,192 
2,794,20d' 
1,096,32(J 
1,068,025 
l,S9a798 


"Refined  borax.    t)Becalculated  to  40%  'anhydrous  boric  acid'  equivalent  beginning  with  1922, 


CALCIUM  CHLORIDE. 

Bibliography :  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Min.  Res.  1919,  Pt.  II. 
Engineering  and  Contracting,  Roads  &  Streets  monthly  issue, 
Feb.  6,  1924.  'How  to  Maintain  Roads,'  manual  of  instruction! 
of  Dow  Chemical  Company. 

Calcium  chloride  is  hygroscopic,  that  is,  it  has  an  affinity  for  water, 
This  property  is  taken  advantage  of  by  utilizing  this  salt  as  a  drying 
agent.  It  is  also  sprinkled  on  dirt  roads  and  playgrounds  to  keep 
down  dust  by  absorbing  moisture.  In  refrigerating  machinery  for  ice 
factories,  meat-packing  houses  and  cold-storage  warehouses,  a  calcium 
chloride  solution  is  stated  to  have  some  advantages  over  salt  brine.  In 
fire  buckets  this  solution  has  an  advantage  over  pure  water,  in  that  it 
has  a  lower  freezing  point,  does  not  corrode  metal,  and  tends  to  keep 
the  buckets  full  due  to  its  absorbing  moisture  from  the  atmosphere 
Powdered  calcium  chloride  is  used  in  drying  gases,  fruits  anc 
vegetables. 

For  dust  prevention  on  roads,  it  is  stated  that  the  flake  form  of  the 
chloride  gives  better  results  than  the  granulated.  Immediately  after 
spreading,  the  flake  begins  to  absorb  moisture  from  the  air — ''in  fact. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  115 

absorbs  three  times  its  weight  in  water,  dissolves  itself  into  the  surface 
material  of  the  road,  remains  there,  holds  the  moisture  and  prevents 
dust/'  It  is  recommended  that  the  first  application  in  the  spring 
should  be  made  as  soon  as  the  roads  are  partly  dried  and  the  spring 
rains  over,  in  order  to  prevent  the  accumulation  of  the  first  dust  during 
the  season.  From  1  to  2  pounds  of  flake  chloride  are  used  per  square 
yard  according  to  the  nature  of  the  road  surface.  Ordinarily  a  second 
application,  of  from  J  to  1  pound  per  square  yard,  should  follow  in 
from  four  to  six  weeks  depending  upon- conditions;  and  sometimes  a 
light,  third  application  may  be  necessary  during  a  long,  dry  summer. 
The  most  satisfactory  method  for  applying  large  quantities  of  flake 
calcium  chloride  is  to  use  an  agricultural  lime  or  fertilizer  spreader 
attached  by  a  short  tongue  to  the  rear  of  a  truck.  Excellent  results 
are  reported  with  the  following  kinds  of  road  surfaces :  gravel,  water- 
bound  gravel,  water-bound  macadam,  sand-clay,  clay-sand,  cinders, 
mine  tailings.  It  can  not  be  used  to  advantage  on  roads  of  heavy 
clay,  oil-treated  surfaces,  heavy  rolling  sand,  or  the  ordinary  dirt  road 
which  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  fine  dead  material.  The  last 
named  should  first  have  a  resurfacing  or  application  of  gravel. 

A  very  important  and  growing  use  for  calcium  chloride  is  its 
application  to  curing  concrete  pavements  instead  of  the  slower  and 
more  expensive  earth  and  water-covering  method.  It  is  stated  that  one 
application  of  the  flake  chloride  will  absorb  a  sufficient  amount  of 
moisture  from  the  air  to  keep  the  pavement  wet  continuously  24  hours 
per  day  when  properly  applied.  As  soon  as  the  newly  laid  concrete 
has  taken  on  enough  set  to  permit  an  application  without  marring 
the  surface,  the  chloride  should  he  spread  on  at  the  rate  of  2  to  2J 
pounds  per  square  yard,  depending  upon  the  dryness  of  the  weather. 
It  should  be  evenly  spread.  There  is  no  need  of  applying  an  earth 
covering  and  hence  no  subsequent  earth  removal,  and  no  extra  water 
pumping,  thereby  eliminating  these  items  of  expense.  Not  only  that, 
but  experience  has  proved  that  the  time  of  set  for  the  concrete  is 
shortened  by  use  of  the  chloride,  so  that  pavements  so  treated  can 
be  opened  to  traffic  in  one-half  the  time  required  if  cured  by  ponding 
or  by  earth  and  water.  In  the  case  of  patching  broken  pavements, 
if  calcium  chloride  is  mixed  in  with  the  concrete  as  laid,  in  proper 
proportions,  and  a  further  application  spread  on  the  finished  surface, 
the  patched  pavement  can  be  opened  to  traffic  in  48  hours  without 
injury  to  the  concrete. 

Californian   Production. 

Commercial  production  of  calcium  chloride  in  California  was  first 
reported  to  the  State  Mining  Bureau  in  1921,  from  two  plants  in  San 
Bernardino  County,  being  obtained  as  a  by-product  in  the  refining  of 
salt  from  deposits  in  certain  of  the  desert  dry  lakes.  In  1922  and  1923, 
there  was  only  a  single  operator,  so  that  the  annual  details  are  concealed 
under  the  'unapportioned'  item. 

Year  Tons  Value 

1922) ^^^  ^^^'^^^ 

1923J  * 1.204  26.580 

Totals 1,887  $49,560 

♦Annual  details  concealed  under  'unapportioned,'  on  account  of  a  single  producer. 


116 


MINERAL   INl)USTRY   OF    CALIFORlSriA. 


MAGNESIUM  SALTS. 

Bibliography :  Bulletin  91.     'Dictionary  of  Applied  Cheristry,'  by 
Thorpe.     U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Min.  Res.  of  U.  S. 

The  production  of  magnesium  chloride  and  sulphate  in  California 
during  1923  totaled  3,662  tons,  valued  at  $116,031,  an  increase  both 
in  quantity  and  value  over  the  1922  figures  of  3,036  tons  and  $89,788. 
This  was  nearly  all  chloride,  sold  fof  use  in  magnesite  stucco  and 
cement  mixtures  (Sorel  cement),  and  was  prepared  from  residual 
bitterns  at  salt  plants  in  Alameda,  Los  Angeles,  San  Diego,  and  San 
Mateo  counties.  It  was  in  part  marketed  in  the  liquid  form.  With 
the  use  of  magnesite  cement  and  stucco  coming  more  into  vogue  in 
building  construction  on  the  Pacific  coast,  the  demand  for  magnesium 
chloride  is  increasing  here;  but  the  domestic  article  has  to  meet  the 
competition  of  the  cheaper,  imported  German  chloride. 

The  average  value  reported  for  the  chloride  in  1923  was  $31.60  per 
ton,  f .  0.  b.  plant. 

Total   Production   of   Magnesium   Salts   in   California. 

Commercial  production  of  magnesium  chloride  in  California  was 
begun  in  1916  by  some  of  the  salt  companies,  from  the  residual 
bitterns  obtained  during  the  evaporation  of  sea  water  for  its  sodium 
chloride.  In  addition,  some  magnesium  sulphate,  or  'epsom  salts'  is 
also  made,  annually,  but  in  smaller  amount. 

The  total  production  of  magnesium  salts  in  California  since  the 
beginning  of  the  industry  here,  is  shown  in  the  following  tabulation : 


Year 


Tonsi 


Value 


1916   

1917  

1918  

1919    

1920  

1921    

1922   

1923 

Totals 


851 

$6,407 

1,064 

34,973 

1,008 

29,955 

1,616 

82,457 

3,150 

■  107,787 

4,153 

106,140 

3,036 

89,788 

3,662 

116,031 

18,540 


$573,53% 


NITRATES. 

BihUography :  Report  XV.     Bulletins  24, 
Press  Bulletin  No.  373,  July,  1918. 


67,  91.     U.   S.   G.   S.j 


Nitrates  of  sodium,  potassium  and  calcium  have  been  found  in  various 
places  in  the  desert  regions  of  the  state,  but  no  deposit  of  commercial 
value  has  been  developed  as  yet.  It  is  hoped  that  a  closer  search  may 
some  day  be  rewarded  by  workable  discoveries.  At  present  the  princi- 
pal commercial  source  of  nitrates  is  the  Chilean  saltpeter  (sodium 
nitrate)  deposits  in  South  America. 

The  fixation  of  atmospheric  nitrogen  electrically  has  been  accom- 
plished successfully  in  Germany  and  Scandinavia.  The  possibilities  oi 
cheap  hydro-electric  power  in  California  make  the  subject  one  ol 
interest  to  us,  as  we  have  also  the  natural  raw  materials  and  chemicals 
to  go  with  the  power.  Sodium  and  potassium  cyanides  can  be  made 
by  fixation  of  atmospheric  nitrogen  electrically. 

I 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


POTASH. 


117 


Bibliography :  Reports  XV,  XVIII.  Bulletins  24,  61.  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Min.  Res.  1913,  1914,  1915.  Senate  Doe.  No.  190,  62d  Congress, 
2d  Session.  Mining  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  112,  p.  155;  Vol.  114, 
p.  789.     Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  117,  p.  557,  Apr.  5,  1924. 

During  1923,  a  total  of  29,597  tons  of  potash  salts  of  all  grades  was 
produced  in  California,  valued  at  $709,836,  compared  with  17,776 
tons  and  $584,388  in  1922.  This  included  potassium  chloride  from 
salt-works  bitterns  and  from  Searles  Lake  brine,  and  sulphate  from 
portland-cement  dust.  The  quality  varied  from  34%  to  60.5% 
equivalent  KgO  content,  the  salt  being  produced  at  plants  in  San 
Bernardino,  San  Mateo,  and  Santa  Cruz  counties.  Some  potassium 
chloride  was  also  made  at  one  plant  in  Alameda  County,  but  not  sold 
as  it  is  intended  to  convert  it  into  other  forms.  The  product  sold 
was  utilized  for  the  manufacture  of  fertilizers. 

Imports  of  crude  potash  into  the  United  States  in  1923,  according 
to  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  amounted  to  748,101  short  tons,  con- 
taining 209,581  short  tons  of  KgO,  valued  at  $15,354,755.  Of  this 
amount  712,441  short  tons  of  crude  potash,  containing  194,079  short 
tons  of  K2O,  valued  at  $10,624,475  were  salts  used  mainly  in  the 
fertilizer  industry.  Germany  and  France  are  the  foreign  sources  of 
supply. 

According  to  MacDowelP 

"The  principal  potash  salts  used  in  commercial  fertilizer  mixtures  and  the  basis 
on  which  they  are  sold  are  as  follows : 


Purity  in 
per  cent 


Sold  on 
basis  in 
per  cent 


Form 


Muriate  of  potash- 
Sulphate  of  potash- 
Double  manure  salt 
Manure  salt 

Manure  salt 

Kainite 


80-85 
90-95 
48-53 
30 

20 

12.4  K2O 


80  KCl 
90  K2SO4 
48  K2SO4 
30K^O 

.20  K2O 


Potassium  chloride 
Potassium  sulphate 
Potassium  sulphate 
Double  salt  of  magnesium 

and  potassium  chloride 
Double  salt  of  magnesium 

and  potassium  chloride 
Mostly  potassium  chloride 


"The  above  salts  are  in  crystallized  form,  of  standard  analysis.  In  the  higher 
grades  of  muriate  and  sulphate,  material  is  in  the  form  of  very  fine  crystals  barely 
detectable  by  the  eye.  In  the  lower  grades  of  manure  salt  and  kainite  the  crystals  are 
larger,  the  material  being  ground  to  pass  a   4-mesh  screen. 

******* 

"The  records  of  the  Potash  Syndicate  in  Germany  indicate  that  production  of 
K2O  during  the  last  eight  years  varied  from  356,056  metric  tons  in  1915  to  614,834 
metric  tons  in  1922.  These  figures  represent  minimum  and  maximum  yearly 
production. 

"Prices  on  potash  for  fertilizers  over  a  period  of  years,  exclusive  of  the  war,  have 
been  maintained  on  a  fairly  uniform  basis.  The  net  cost  to  the  manufacturer  over 
a  period  of  years  has  not  varied,  excepting  during  the  war,  as  much  as  other  raw 
materials.  Kainite  testing  12.4  per  cent  of  potash  has  varied  from  $5.50  to  $9  per 
ton;  20  per  cent  manure  salts  from  $7.50  to  $12  per  ton;  muriate  from  $30  to  $36 
per  ton,  basis  80  per  cent;  sulphate  from  $40  to  $46  per  ton,  basis  90  per  cent. 
At  the  present  time  the  Germans  have  a  practical  monopoly  on  the  manufacture  of 
sulphate  of  potash,  as  little  kieserit  is  found  in  the  Alsatian  field.  Owing  to  the 
high  cost  of  fuel  and  labor,  they  have  recently  increased  the  price  $2.25  per  ton. 
During  the  war,  domestic  potash  sold  at  from  $4  to  $5  a  unit  K2O,  German  muriate 
as  high  as  $500  a  ton  and  sulphate  at  $400  a  ton.  There  is  no  indication  on  the 
sellers  part  of  raising  prices  still  further,  and  unless  the  German  and  French 
producers  reach  an  agreement,  which  does  not  now  seem  probable,  the  potash 
requirements  of  the  fertilizer  industry  seem  assured  for  the  present  at  a  comparatively 
low  price." 

^MacDowell,  C.  H.,  Marketing  of  potash :  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.-Press,  Vol.  117,  p.  558. 
Apr.   5,   1924.  '  * 


118 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 


Other  uses  for  potash  salts,  besides  those  noted  above,  are  in  the 
manufacture  of  the  best  liquid  soap  and  some  higher-grade  cake  soaps, 
of  some  finer  grades  of  glass,  and  in  matches.  The  chemical  require- 
ments included  tanning,  dyeing,  metallurgy,  electroplating,  photog- 
raphy, and  medicine. 

Total   Production  of  Potash   in  California. 

Potash  production  began  commercially  in  California  in  1914,  with  a 
small  yield  from  kelp.  Considerable  time  and  money  has  been  spent 
on  research  work  incident  to  developing  deposits  of  potash-bearing 
residues  and  brines  in  the  old  lake  beds  of  the  desert  regions,  and 
production  there  has  been  accomplished  on  a  commercial  scale  at  plants 
on  Searles  Lake,  San  Bernardino  County.  Some  is  also  made  annually 
from  salt-works  bitterns,  and  from  portland-cement  dust,  as  above 
noted. 

The  annual  amounts  and  value  of  these  potash  materials  since  their 
beginning  in  California  in  1914,  are  shown  by  the  following  table: 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1914 ^ 

10 
1.076 
17,908 
129,022 
49,381 
28,118 
26,298 
14,806 
17,776 
29,597 

$460 

19,391 

663,606 

1915 

1916 - 

1917  1 - - 

4,202,889 

1918  _ - _ 

6,806,976 

1919 

2,415,963 

1920        

1,465,463 

1921  _ __ -_    _- 

390,210 

1922  __                          _  _      ..    

584,  C88 

1923 ______                                         J    . 

709,836 

- — 

Totals. 

313.992 

$17,267,181 

SALT. 

Bibliography.  State  Mineralogist  Reports  II,  XII-XV  (inc.), 
XVII-XX  (inc.)  ;  Bulletins  24,  67,  91.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Bull. 
669.    U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines,  Bull.  146. 

Most  of  the  salt  production  in  California  is  obtained  by  evaporating 
the  water  of  the  Pacific  Ocean, -plants  being  located  on  the  shores  of 
San  Francisco,  Monterey  and  San  Diego  bays,  and  at  Long  Beach. 
Additional  amounts  are  derived  from  lakes  and  lake  beds  in  the  desert 
regions,  mainly  in  Kern  and  San  Bernardino  counties.  A  small 
amount  of  valuable  medicinal  salts  is  obtained  by  evaporation  of  the 
water  of  Mono  Lake,  Mono  County. 

Distribution  of  the  1923  salt  production  of  California,  by  counties, 
was  as  follows : 


\ 

County 

Tons 

Value 

177,389 
18,921 
17,350 
35,757 
26,562 

$585,585 

Kern 

97,336 

65,550 

San  Mateo                                                              -     -   

199,192 

Los  Angeles,  Mono 

183,007 

Totals.- 

275,979 

$1,130,670 

Medicinal  salts.     *Combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator  in  each. 


I 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


119 


The  above  returns  show  an  increase  both  in  tonnage  and  value  over 
the  1922  figures,  establishing  a  new  record  for  this  industry  in  Cali- 
fornia. There  were  eight  plants  operating  in  Alameda  County,  and 
a  total  of  ten  plants  in  the  other  counties  tabulated,  being  a  decrease 
of  four  from  the  total  number  operated  in  1922.  The  outlook  for  the 
current  year,  1924,  is  that  there  will  be  an  overproduction  in  the 
San  Francisco  Bay  district  at  least,  due  to  the  dry  season. 

Production   of  Salt  in  California,  by  Years. 

Amount  and  value  of  annual  production  of  salt  in  California  from 
1887  is  shown  in  the  following  tabulation : 


Year 

Tons 

Value 

Year 

Tons 

Value 

1887-_ 

28,000 

30,800 

21,000 

8,729 

20,094 

23,570 

50,500 

49,131 

53,031 

64,743 

67,851 

93.421 

82,654 

89,338 

126,218 

115,208 

102,895 

95,968 

77,118 

$112,000 

92,400 

63,000 

57,085 

90,303 

104,788 

213,000 

140,087 

150,576 

153,244 

157,520 

170,855 

149,588 

204,754 

366,376 

205,876 

211,365 

187,300 

141,925 

1906 _.- 

101,650 
88,063 
121,764 
155,680 
174,920 
173,332 
185.721 
204.407 
223,806 
169,028 
186,148 
227,825 
212,076 
233,994 
230,638 
197,989 
223,238 
275.979 

$213,228 
310,967 
281,469 
414,708 
395,417 
324,255 
383,370 
462,681 
583,553 

1888  . 

1907 

1889 

1908 

1890 

1909  - 

1891 

1910 

1892 

1911 

1893 

1912   

1894 

1913. 

1895. 

1914 _ 

1896 

1915 

368,737 
455,695 
584,373 
806,328 

1897  - 

1916 

1898 

1917  -  _ 

1899 

1918 

1900 

1919 

896,963 
972,648 

1901 

1920 _ 

1902 

1921 

832,702 

1903 

1922 

819,187 
1,130,670 

1904 

1923. --. 

1905 

Totals... 

4,586.527 

$13,208,993 

SODA. 

Bibliography:  State  Mineralogist  Reports  XII,  XIII,  XV,  XVII, 
XVIII,  XX ;  Bulletins  24,  67,  91.    U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Bull.  717. 

The  production  of  natural  carbonates  and  sulphate  of  sodium  in 
California  in  1923  included :  soda  ash  and  bicarbonate  from  plants  at 
Owens  Lake,  Inyo  County;  trona  ('sesqui-carbonate,'  a  double  salt  of 
NagCOg  and  NaHCOg)  from  Searles  Lake,  San  Bernardino  County; 
and  salt  cake  (sodium  sulphate)  from  the  Salton  Basin,  Imperial 
County,  and  from  the  Carrizo  Plains,  San  Luis  Obispo  County.  The 
Salton  Basin  mineral  is  the  anhydrous  sulphate,  thenardite  (Na2S04). 
The  total  amounted  to  34,885  tons,  valued  at  $764,284,  being  an  increase 
both  in  tonnage  and  value  over  the  1922  figures  of  20,084  tons  and 
$573,661. 

The  dense  ash  and  bicarbonate  were  used  in  the  manufacture  of  soap, 
sal  soda,  glass,  and  chemicals;  the  salt  cake,  by  pulp  mills  and  in 
glass  making ;  and  the  trona  for  neutralizing,  in  flotation  concentration. 

Sodium  compounds  are  replacing  potassium  compounds,  either  wholly 
or  in  part,  in  glass  and  soap  making,  in  photography,  in  match  mak- 
ing, in  tanning,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  cyanide  for  extracting  gold 
and  silver  from  their  ores. 


120 


MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Soda   Production  of  California,  by  Years. 

The  total  output,  showing  amount  and  value  of  these  materials  in 
California  since  the  inception  of  the  statistical  records  of  the  State 
Mining  Bureau,  is  given  in  the  table  which  follows: 


Tear 

Tons 

Value 

Tear 

Tons 

Value 

1894 

1,530 

1.900 

3,000 

5,000 

7.000 

10.000 

1.000 

8,000 

7.000 

18.000 

12,000 

15,000 

12,000 

$20,000 

47,500 

65.000 

110,000 

154,000 

250,000 

50,000 

400,000 

50,000 

27,000 

18,000 

22,500 

18,000 

1910 

8,125 

9.023 

7,200 

1,861 

6,522 

5,799 

10,593 

24,505 

20,447 

21,294 

32,407 

14,828 

20,084 

34,885 

$11,862 
52,887 

1895            

1911  _ 

1806 

1912  __ 

37,094 

1897 

1913 

24,936 

1898 

1914 _. 

115^396 

1899 

1915              -      - 

83  485 

1900    - 

1916  _ 

264,825 

1901      _ 

1917  1 

928,578 

1902       

1918 

865,423 

1903       

1919 - 

721,958 

1904                     

1920      

1,164,898 

1905 

1921 

438,996 

1906 

1922 

573,661 

1907 

1923 

764,284 

1908         — — 

9.600 

7,712 

14,400 
11,593 

Totals 

336,315 

1909    - 

$7,296,276 

STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION. 


121 


CHAPTER   SEVEN. 


BY  COUNTIES. 


Introductory. 

The  State  of  California  includes  a  total  area  of  158,360  square  miles, 
of  which  155,980  square  miles  are  of  land.  The  maximum  width  is 
235  miles,  the  minimum,  148  miles ;  and  the  length  from  the  northwest 
corner  to  the  southeast  corner  is  775  miles.  The  state  is  divided  into 
fifty-eight  counties.  The  1920  census  figures  show  a  total  population 
for  California  of  3,437,709.  Minerals  of  commercial  value  exist  in 
every  county,  and  during  1923  some  active  production  was  reported 
to  the  State  Mining  Bureau  from  all  but  one  of  the  fifty-eight. 

Of  the  first  ten  counties  in  point  of  total  output  for  1923,  the  first 
three,  Los  Angeles,  Orange,  Kern  owe  their  position  mainly  to 
petroleum,  as  do  also  Santa  Barbara  (sixth),  Fresno  (seventh), 
Ventura  (eighth).  Los  Angeles,  due  to  its  oil,  leads  all  the  others, 
being  credited  with  practically  50%  of  the  entire  state's  total  for  1923, 
having  passed  Kern  which  has  led  for  many  years.  San  Bernardino 
owes  its  place  chiefly  to  cement,  silver,  potash,  and  borax;  Riverside 
to  cement,  brick  and  tile;  Santa  Cruz  to  cement;  Plumas  to  copper; 
Yuba  to  gold.  Twenty-two  counties  have  each  a  total  in  excess  of  a 
million  dollars  for  1923.  Cement  is  an  important  item  in  seven  of 
these  counties,  and  magnesite  in  one.  In  point  of  variety  and 
diversity,  San  Bernardino  County  led  all  the  others  in  1923,  with  a 
total  of  20  different  mineral  products  on  its  commercial  list,  followed 
by  San  Diego  and  Los  Angeles  with  17  each ;  Inyo  with  16 ;  Kern,  15 ; 
Riverside,  14;  Shasta,  13,  Nevada,  11;  Calaveras,  Fresno,  Orange, 
Santa  Clara,  10  each;  Butte,  Monterey,  Placer,  Santa  Barbara,  and 
Tuolumne,  9  each.  The  counties  with  their  mineral  resources,  produc- 
tion for  1923,  etc.,  are  considered  in  detail  in  the  following  paragraphs. 


Value  of  California's  Mineral  Production   by  Counties  for  1923.     Arranged   In  the 
Order  of  Their   Importance. 


County  Value 

Los  Angeles $174,367,459 

45,468,989 


10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 
26. 
27. 
28. 
29. 
30. 


Orange 

Kern 

San  Bernardino 

Riverside  

Santa  Barbara  _ 

Fresno   

Ventura   

Santa  Cruz 

Plumas    

Yuba 

Solano 

Inyo    

Contra  Costa  __. 

Alameda    

Sacramento 

Nevada     

San   Benito 

Amador    

Shasta    

Calaveras 

Santa  Clara   

Sierra 

Butte     

San  Diego 

•San  Joaquin 

Marin    

Trinity    

Tuolumne     

Madera    ^ . 


41,812,415 

13,777,253 

7,093,853 

5.005,872 

4,883,331 

4,679,684 

4,225,905 

3,784.262 

3,391.129 

3,376,885 

2,845,581 

2,672,944 

2,487.035 

2.436.015 

2,370.770 

2,277.903 

1,955.874 

1.563,387 

1.498.119 

1,320.393 

886,610 

841,948 

821.796 

811,229 

688.881 

677.174 

670.362 

518,035 


County 
31.  Placer 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 


39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
43. 
44. 
45. 
46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 
50. 
51. 
52. 
53. 
54. 
55. 
56. 
57. 
58. 


Tulare 

Stanislaus    

Humboldt 

Napa 

San  Mateo 

Imperial 

Merced 

■Sonoma    

Monterey    

El   Dorado   

iSiskiyou    

Mariposa    

San  Luis  Obispo. 
'San    Francisco    - 

Glenn    

Lake    

Mono 

Colusa    

Mendocino    

Del  Norte 

Yolo    

Modoc 

Lassen    

Tehama    

Kings    

Sutter 

Alpine 


Value 

$494,513 

466.559 

445,515 

434.706 

351.592 

329,816 

264,733 

235,630 

227,312 

222,022 

216,065 

181,011 

170,911 

145,249 

117,341 

113,282 

101,038 

92,791 

75,000 

53.410 

34.027 

16.957 

8.397 

7,840 

6,216 

1.555 

97 


Total    ^ ^^  $344,024,678 


122  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 

ALAMEDA. 

Area:  843  square  miles. 
Population:  344,177   (1920  census). 
Location:  East  side  of  San  Francisco  Bay, 

Alameda  County,  while  in  no  sense  one  of  the  *  mining  counties,' 
comes  fifteenth  on  the  list  with  a  value  of  mineral  products  for  1923 
of  $2,487,035,  an  increase  over  the  1922  total,  which  was  $2,041,454. 
The  mineral  resources  of  this  county  include  asbestos,  brick,  chromite, 
clay,  coal,  limestone,  magnesite,  manganese,  pyrite,  salt,  soapstone,  and 
miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Brick  and  tile   $828,048 

Clay  (pottery) 2,850  tons  10,422 

Salt 177,389  tons  585.585 

Stone,   miscellaneous   — . 965,465 

Other  minerals* 97,515 

Total  value $2,487,035 

♦Includes  Magnesium  salts,  pyrites. 

ALPINE. 

Area:  776  square  miles. 

Population:  243   (1920  census). 

Location :  On  eastern  border  of  state,  south  of  Lake  Tahoe. 

Alpine  has  at  times  in  the  past  shown  a  small  production  mainly  of 
gold  and  silver.     For  1923  there  was  no  commercial  production. 

This  county  lies  just  south  of  Lake  Tahoe,  in  the  high  Sierra  Nevada 
range  of  mountains.  Transportation  is  by  auto,  wagon,  or  mule  back, 
and  facilities  in  general  are  lacking  to  prom^ote  development  work  of 
any  kind. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  section  are  varied  and  the  country  has 
not  yet  been  thoroughly  prospected.  Occurrences  of  barium,  copper, 
gold,  gypsum,  lead,  limestone,  pyrite,  rose  quartz,  silver,  tourmaline, 
and  zinc  have  been  noted  here. 

AMADOR. 

Area:  601  square  miles. 

Population:  7,793  (1920  census). 

Location:  East-central  part  of  state — Mother  Lode  district. 

The  value  of  Amador  County's  mineral  production  decreased  from 
$2,479,063  in  1922  to  $1,955,874,  placing  it  number  nineteen  on  the 
list  of  counties  in  the  state  as  regards  total  value  of  mineral  substances 
marketed.     The  drop  was  due  mainly  to  gold. 

Although  having  an  output  consisting  of  7  different  minerals,  the 
leading  product,  gold,  makes  up  approximately  89%  of  the  entire  total. 

Amador  at  one  time  led  the  state  in  gold  production,  but  was 
exceeded  in  1920-1923  by  Yuba  and  Nevada  counties. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  county  include  asbestos,  brick,  chromite, 
clay,  coal,  copper,  gold,  lime,  quartz  crystals,  glass-sand,  sandstone, 
silver,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance                                                                                 Amount  Value 

Clay  (pottery) 45,887  tons  $58,196 

Gold 1,734,133 

Silver 15,153 

Stone,   miscellaneous   28,515 

Other  minerals*   119,877 

Total  value $1,955,874 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  123 

BUTTE. 

Area:  1,722  square  miles. 
Population:  30,030   (1920  census). 
Location:  North-central  portion  of  state. 

Butte,  twenty-fourth  county  in  California  in  regard  to  the  value  of 
its  mineral  output,  reported  a  commercial  production  of  nine  mineral 
substances,  having  a  total  value  of  $841,948  as  compared  with  $720,625 
in  1922.  As  will  be  noted  in  the  following  tabulation,  gold  is  by  far 
the  most  important  item.  Butte  stands  eighth  among  the  gold-produc- 
ing counties  of  the  state.  Among  the  mineral  resources  of  this  section 
are  asbestos,  barytes,  chromite,  gems,  gold,  limestone,  marble,  mineral 
water,  platinum  group,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  value  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Gold — _         $487,393 

Mineral  water 3,700  gals.  3,300 

Platinum   19  fine  oz.  2,601 

Silver 1,756 

Miscellaneous  stone 340,250 

Other   minerals*    .  6,648 

Total  value $841,948 

♦Includes  diamonds,  natural  gas,  soapstone. 

CALAVERAS. 

Area:  1,027  square  miles. 

Population:  6,183   (1920  census). 

Location:  East-central  portion  of  state — Mother  Lode  district. 

Calaveras  County  reported  production  of  10  different  minerals, 
valued  at  $1,498,119  during  the  year  1923  as  compared  with  the  1922 
output  of  $1,502,883.  Gold,  copper,  and  silver  are  the  chief  mineral 
substances.  In  regard  to  total  value  of  mineral  output,  Calaveras 
stands  twenty-first  among  the  counties  of  the  state,  and  fifth  in  gold. 
The  decrease,  as  compared  with  1922,  is  due  mainly  to  gold. 

The  principal  mineral  resources  developed  and  undeveloped  are: 
Asbestos,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  fullers'  earth,  gold,  limestone,  marble, 
mineral  paint,  mineral  water,  platinum  group,  pyrite,  quartz  crystals, 
silver,  soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  output  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance                                                                                 Amount  Value 

Copper   1,598,776  pounds  $235,020 

Gold   1,205,784 

Mineral  water   1,626  gals.  569 

Silver 7,316 

Stone,    miscellaneous 39,825 

Other  minerals* 9,.605 

Total  value $1,498,119 

♦Includes  clay    (pottery),  crystal  quartz,  lead,  platinum. 

COLUSA. 

Area:  1,140  square  miles. 
Population:  9,920   (1920  census). 
Location:  Sacramento  Valley. 

Colusa  County  lies  largely  in  the  basin  of  the  Sacramento  Valley. 
Its  western  border,  however,  rises  into  the  foothills  of  the  Coast  Range 


324  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

of  mountains,  and  its  mineral  resources — largely  undeveloped — include 
coal,  chromite,  copper,  gypsum,  manganese,  mineral  water,  pyrite, 
quicksilver,  sandstone,  miscellaneous  stone,  sulphur,  and  in  some  places 
traces  of  gold  and  silver. 

The  value  of  the  1923  production  was  $75,000,  a  slight  decrease 
from  the  1922  figures  of  75,934,  giving  it  forty-ninth  place,  and  was 
as  follows: 

Substance  Value 

Stone,  miscellaneous $75,000 

CONTRA  COSTA. 

Area:  714  square  miles. 
Population:  53,889   (1920  census). 
Location :  East  side  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 

Contra  Costa,  like  Alameda  County,  lies  on  the  eastern  shores  of  San 
Francisco  Bay,  and  is  not  commonly  considered  among  the  mineral- 
producing  counties  of  the  state.  It  stands  fourteenth  on  the  list  in  this 
respect,  however,  with  an  output  valued  at  $2,672,944  for  the  calendar 
year  1923.  Various  structural  materials  make  up  the  chief  items, 
including  brick,  cement,  limestone,  and  miscellaneous  stone.  Among 
the  others  are  asbestos,  clay,  coal,  gypsum,  manganese,  mineral  water, 
and  soapstone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  *  Value 

Clay  and  clay  products   $281,743 

Stone,    miscellaneous    629,216 

Other   minerals*    1,761,985 

Total  value $2,672,944 

♦Includes  cement,  limestone,  mineral  water. 


DEL  NORTE 

Area:  1,024  square  miles. 
Population:  2,759   (1920  census). 
Location:  Extreme  northwest  corner  of  state. 
Transportation:    Motor,    wagon    and    mule    back;    steamer    from 
Crescent  City. 

Del  Norte  almost  rivals  Alpine  County  in  regard  to  inaccessibility. 
Like  the  latter  county  also,  given  transportation  and  kindred  facilities, 
this  portion  of  the  state  presents  a  wide  field  for  development  along 
mining  lines  especially.  Its  chief  mineral  resources,  largely  untouched, 
are  chromite,  copper,  gems,  gold,  iron,  platinum  group,  silver,  and  mis- 
cellaneous stone.  The  1923  output  was  an  increase  over  the  figure  of 
$6,261  in  1922,  due  to  crushed  rock  used  on  highway  construction. 

Commercial  production  for  1923,  giving  it  fifty-first  place,  was 
as  follows: 


Substance  Value 

Gold    __  $1,778 

Silver 9 

Stone,    miscellaneous    31,368 

Other   minerals*    872 

Total  value ; $34,027 

♦Includes  copper  and  platinum. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  125 

EL  DORADO. 

Area:  1,753  square  miles. 
Population:  6,426   (1920  census). 

Location :  East-central  portion  of  the  state,  northernmost  of  the 
Mother  Lode  counties. 

El  Dorado  County,  which  contains  the  locality  where  gold  in  Cali- 
lornia  was  first  heralded  to  the  world,  comes  forty-first  on  the  list  of 
(bounties  ranked  according  to  the  value  of  their  total  mineral  production 
(luring  the  year  1923.  In  addition  to  the  segregated  figures  here  given, 
a  large  tonnage  of  limestone  is  annually  shipped  from  El  Dorado  for 
use  in  cement  manufacture,  and  whose  value  is  included  in  the  state 
total  for  cement.  The  increase  over  the  1922  figure  of  $184,525  was 
due  to  limestone. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  section,  many  of  them  undeveloped, 
include  asbestos,  barytes,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  gems,  gold,  iron, 
molybdenum,  limestone,  quartz  crystals,  quicksilver,  slate,  soapstone, 
silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows; 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Gold    $30,264 

Limestone    95,274  tons  163,987 

Silver    185 

Soapstone    2,670  tons  15,729 

Stone,   miscellaneous    5,900 

Total  value . $216,065 

FRESNO. 

Area:  5,950  square  miles. 
Population:  128,779   (1920  census). 
Location:  South-central  portion  of  state. 

Fresno  County,  seventh  in  importance  as  a  mineral  producer  among 
the  counties  of  California,  reported  an  output  for  1923  of  ten  mineral 
substances,  with  a  total  value  of  $4,883,331,  a  decrease  from  the 
reported  1922  production,  which  was  worth  $10,853,433.  The  bulk  of 
the  above  is  derived  from  the  petroleum  production  of  the  Coalinga 
field,  with  miscellaneous  stone  also  important. 

The  mineral  resources  of  this  county  are  many,  and,  aside  from  crude 
oil,  are  in  the  main  not  fully  developed.  They  include  asbestos, 
barytes,  brick,  chromite,  copper,  gems,  gold,  graphite,  gypsum,  mag- 
nesite,  natural  gas,  petroleum,  quicksilver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Amount .  Value 

Clay  and  clay  products $217,880 

Gold    18,519 

Granite    64,920 

Natural  gas 1,599,354  M  122,702 

Petroleum   5,061,542  bbls.  3,593,695 

Silver 128 

Stone,    miscellaneous    863,087 

Other   minerals    2,400 

Total  value ^ $4,883,331 


126  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

GLENN. 
Area:  1,259  square  miles. 
Population:  11,853   (1920  census). 
Location:  West  side  of  Sacramento  Valley. 

Glenn  County,  standing  forty-sixth,  owes  its  position  among  the 
mineral-producing  counties  of  the  state  mainly  to  the  presence  of  large 
deposits  of  sand  and  gravel  which  are  annually  worked,  the  product 
being  used  for  railroad  ballast,  etc.  In  1917  and  1918,  chromite  was 
also  an  important  item.  In  the  foothills  in  the  western  portion  of  the 
county,  deposits  of  chromite,  copper,  manganese,  sandstone,  and  soap- 
stone  have  been  found. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows,  being  an  increase 
over  the  $91,250  of  the  previous  year: 

Substance  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous    $113,282 

HUMBOLDT. 

Area:  3,634  square  miles. 
Population:  37,857   (1920  census). 

Location:   Northwestern   portion   of   state,    bordering   on   Pacific 
Ocean. 

Humboldt  County  is  almost  entirely  mountainous,  transportation 
within  its  limits  being  very  largely  by  auto  and  wagon  road,  and  trail, 
and  until  recent  years  was  reached  from  the  outside  world  by  steamer 
only.  The  county  is  rich  in  mineral  resources,  among  which  are  brick, 
chromite,  coal,  clay,  copper,  gold,  iron,  mineral  water,  natural  gas, 
petroleum,  platinum,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Nine  mineral  substances,  as  shown  by  the  table  given  below,  having 
a  total  value  of  $434,706,  were  produced  in  1923,  as  compared  with  the 
1922  output,  worth  $125,613,  the  increase  being  due  to  the  large 
amount  of  rock  being  used  in  jetty  construction  at  Humboldt  Bay 
(Eureka  Harbor).  Humboldt  ranks  thirty-fourth  among  the  counties 
of  the  state  for  the  year. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

iSubstance                                                                                                             •  Value 

Gold - $2,260 

Silver 12 

Stone,   miscellaneous    422.519 

Other   minerals*    9,915 

Total  value $434,706 

•Includes  clay  and  clay  products,  mineral  water,  natural  gas,  platinum. 

IMPERIAL. 

Area:  4,089  square  miles. 

Population:  43,383   (1920  census). 

Location:  Extreme  southeast  comer  of  the  state. 

During  1923  Imperial  County  produced  eight  mineral  substances 
having  a  total  value  of  $264,733,  as  compared  with  the  1922  output, 
worth   $188,739.     Its   rank   is   thirty-seventh.     This    county    contains 


I 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  127 

deposits  of  gold,  gypsum,  lead,  marble,  pumice,  salt,  silver,  sodium, 
and  strontium,  largely  undeveloped. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  ^  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous    $101,833 

Other  minerals*    162,900 

Total  value , $264,733 

*Includes  brick,  gold,  gypsum,  pumice,  silver,  soda   (salt  cake). 

INYO. 

Area:  10,019  square  miles. 
Population:  7,031   (1920  census). 

Location :  Lies  on  eastern  border  of  state,  north  of  San  Bernardino 
County. 

Inyo,  the  second  largest  county  in  the  state,  and  containing  less  than 
one  inhabitant  per  square  mile,  is  extremely  interesting  from  a  mineral- 
ogical  point  of  view.  It  is  noted  because  of  the  fact  that  within  its 
borders  are  located  both  the  highest  point.  Mount  Whitney  (elevation 
14,502  feet),  and  the  lowest  point,  Death  Valley  (elevation  290  feet 
below  sea  level),  in  the  United  States.  In  the  higher  mountainous 
sections  are  found  many  vein-forming  minerals,  and  in  the  lake  beds 
of  Death  Valley  saline  deposits  exist. 

Inyo's  mineral  production  during  the  year  1923  reached  a  value  of 
$2,845,581,  standing  thirteenth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  in  this 
respect.  The  1922  value  was  $2,137,681,  the  increase  being  due  mainly 
to  lead,  borates,  silver,  and  soda.  Its  mineral  resources  include 
antimony,  asbestos,  barytes,  borates,  copper,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  lead, 
marble,  soda,  sulphur,  talc,  tungsten,  and  zinc. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Copper   77,349  lbs.  $11,370 

Dolomite    47,542  tons  79,793 

Gold    36,702 

Lead 9,541,868  lbs.  667,931 

Silver    265,023 

Talc    5,981  tons  104,976 

Soda   24,116  tons  662,747 

Stone,   miscellaneous 19,500 

Other   minerals* : 997,539 

Total  value $2,845,581 

♦Includes  building  stone,  borates,  fuller's  earth,  gems,  marble,  pumice  (ash), 
tungsten  concentrates. 

KERN. 

Area:  8,003  square  miles. 
Population:  54,843   (1920  census). 
Location :.  South-central  portion  of  state. 

Kern  County,  because  of  its  immensely  productive  oil  fields,  for 
many  years  stood  preeminent  among  all  counties  of  California  in  the 
value  of  its  mineral  output,  the  exact  figures  for  1923  being  $41,812,415. 
This  was  surpassed  by  both  Los  Angeles  and  Orange  counties  in  1923, 
for  which  petroleum  is  also  responsible.  The  1922  mineral  output  for 
Kern  County  was  worth  $68,551,002.  The  decrease  was  due  to  the 
lower  prices  for  crude  oil  of  all  grades,  and  to  the  fact  that  a  large 


128  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

number  of  wells  in  the  San  Joaquin  valley  fields  were  'shut  in'  owing 
to  the  over-production  of  high-gravity  oil  in  the  new  gusher  fields  of 
the  Los  Angeles  basin. 

Among  the  mineral  resources,  developed  and  undeveloped,  of  this 
section  are:  Antimony,  asphalt,  borax,  brick,  clay,  copper,  fuller's 
earth,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  magnesite,  marble, 
mineral  paint,  natural  gas,  petroleum,  potash,  salt,  silver,  soapstone, 
soda,  sulphur,  and  tungsten. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Brick    5,271  M  $68,375 

Gold    107.051 

Lime : 17,985  tons  214,183 

Natural  gas 42,421,592  M  2,051,656 

Petroleum 45,952,794  bbls.  37,629.300 

Salt    18,921  tons  97,336 

Silver    33,151 

Stone,   miscellaneous   9,225 

Other   minerals*    1,602,138 

Total  value $41,812,415 

♦Includes  clay    (pottery),   cement,   gypsum,   limestone,  pumice    (ash),   sulphur. 

KINGS. 

Area:  1,159  square  miles. 
Population:  22,031   (1920  census). 
Location:  South-central  portion  of  the  state. 

Little  development  has  taken  place  in  Kings  County  along  mineral 
lines  to  date.  Deposits  of  fuller's  earth,  gypsum,  mineral  paint,  natural 
gas,  and  quicksilver,  of  undetermined  extent,  have  been  found  in  the 
county.  Some  drilling  for  oil  has  been  under  way,  but  there  has,  as 
yet,  been  no  commercial  output  recorded. 

Tulare  Lake  is  in  Kings  County,  though  now  largely  drained,  and 
the  land  under  cultivation. 

In  fifty-sixth  place,  commercial  mineral  production  in  this  county 
for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Natural  gas 1,990  M  $970 

Other   minerals    &85 

Total  value $1,555 

LAKE. 

Area:  1,278  square  miles. 
Population:  5,542   (1920  census). 

Location:  About  fifty  miles  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay  and  the 
same  distance  inland  from  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

On  account  of  its  topography  and  natural  beauties.  Lake  County  is 
sometimes  referred  to  as  the  Switzerland  of  America.  The  mineral 
resources  which  exist  here  are  many  and  varied,  actual  production 
being  comparatively  small,  as  shown  by  the  table  below,  and  in  the  past 
composed  mainly  of  quicksilver,  and  mineral  water.  Some  of  the  lead- 
ing minerals  found  in  this  section,  in  part  as  yet  undeveloped,  are 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  129 

I  borax,   chromite,   clay,    copper,   gems,    gold,   gypsum,    mineral   water, 

\  quicksilver,  silver,  and  sulphur. 

I;      In    forty-seventh   place,    commercial   production    for    1923    was   as 

i  follows: 

I 

;           Substance  Amount  Value 

:  Mineral   water   63,730  gals.  $44,738 

"  Quicksilver   17  flasks  1,050 

-^   Stone,   miscellaneous   55,000 

^  Other    minerals   250 

r  Total  value $101,038 

■ 

LASSEN. 


Area:  4,531  square  miles. 
Population:  8,507   (1920  census). 
Location:  Northeast  portion  of  state. 


Lassen  County  is  one  of  the  little-explored  sections  of  California. 
Since  about  1912  a  railroad  traversing  the  county  north  and  south  has 
■'  been  in  operation,  thus  affording  opportunity  for  development  along 
mineral  and  other  lines. 

Among  the  mineral  resources  of  this  county  are  copper,  gems, 
uypsum,  gold,  silver,  and  sulphur.  In  the  past,  some  gold  had  been 
[)i'oduced,  but  not  for  some  years,  until  1921,  when  the  yield  again 
became  important.  In  fifty-fourth  place,  commercial  production  for 
1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

>«tone,    miscellaneous    . $7,600 

Other   minerals*    240 

Total  value $7,840 

♦Includes  gold  and  silver. 

LOS  ANGELES. 

Area:  4,067  square  miles. 

Population^.  936,4:38  (1920  census). 

Location :  One  of  the  southwestern  coast  counties. 

Mineral   production    in    Los    Angeles    County   for    the    year    1923 

amounted  in  value  to  $174,367,459  as  compared  with  the  1922  output, 

worth  $62,751,671.    This  increase  to  nearly  three  times  the  value  of  the 

;  preceding   year   accounts   for   practically   50%    of   the   entire   state's 

\  total  for  1923,  and  ranks  Los  Angeles  County  first  in  the  state  as  a 

I  mineral  producer,  having  passed  Kern  County  which  has  been  leading 

I  for  several  years.     The  advance  was  due  to  the  large  increase  in  the 

I  petroleum  yield,  and  also  in  part  to  an  increase  in  the  output  of 

bricks,  building  tile,  natural  gas,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Its  output  of  brick  and  tile  Avas  nearly  nine  million  dollars,  and 
that  of  petroleum  amounted  to  over  one  hundred  and  fifty-four 
i  million  dollars.  Among  the  mineral  resources  may  be  noted  asphalt, 
barytes,  borax,  brick,  clay,  fuller's  earth,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  infusorial 
earth,  limestone,  marble,  mineral  paint,  mineral  water,  natural  gas, 
petroleum,  salt,  glass-sand,  sandstone,  serpentine,  silver,  soapstone, 
and  miscellaneous  stone.     Some  potash  has  been  obtained  from  kelp. 

1  9—35173 


130  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Commercial  production  for  1923,  consisting  of  17  substances,  was  as 
follows : 

Substance                                                                                    Amount  Value 

Brick 310,897   M  $5,307,968 

Building  stone ^ 40,000 

Building   tile    53,199  tons  522,890 

Clay   (pottery) 128,825  tons  59,272 

Gold    714 

Limestone  marl 2,717  tons  8,779 

Mineral   water   440,563  gals.  24,787 

Natural  gas 134,799,452  M  8,760,961 

Petroleum    158,665,019  bbls.  154,063,733 

Silver     ^ , 6 

Stone,    miscellaneous    5,408,808 

Other   minerals*    . 169,541 

Total  value $174,367,459 

♦Includes  borates,  diatomaceous  earth,  magnesium  chloride,  salt,  silica,  soapstone. 


MADERA. 

Area:  2,112  square  miles. 
Population:  12,203  (1920  census). 
Location :  East-central  portion  of  state. 


Madera  County  produced  five  mineral  substances  during  the  year 
1923,  having  a  total  value  of  $518,053,  as  compared  with  the  1922 
output  worth  $476,264.  This  county  contains  deposits  of  copper, 
gold,  granite,  iron,  lead,  molybdenum,  pumice,  silver,  and  building 
stone. 

In  thirtieth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Value 

Gold $12,074 

Granite     : 486,670 

Silver   ^ 541 

Other   minerals , 18,750 

Total  value $518,035 

MARIN. 

Area:  529  square  miles. 

Population:  27,342   (1920  census). 

Location:  Adjoins  San  Francisco  on  the  north. 

Mineral  production  in  Marin  County  during  the  year  1923  reached 
a  value  of  $688,881,  as  compared  to  the  1922  output,  worth  $403,099 " 
the  increase  being  due  to  crushed  rock,  and  brick.     This  county  is  no 
especially  prolific  in  minerals,  although  among  its  resources  along  thes 
lines  are  brick,  gems,  manganese,  mineral  water,  soapstone,  and  mis 
cellaneous  stone. 

In  twenty-.seventh  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was: 

Substance  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous    $516,936 

Other   minerals*    171.945 


^1 


Total  value $688,881 

'Includes  brick,  clay,   mineral  water. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  131 

MARIPOSA. 

Area:  1,463  square  miles. 
Population:  2,775   (1920  census). 

Location:  Most   southerly   of  the   Mother   Lode   counties.     East- 
central  portion  of  state. 

Mariposa  County  is  one  of  the  distinctly  'mining'  counties  of  the 
state,  although  it  stands  but  forty-third  on  the  list  of  counties  in 
regard  to  the  value  of  its  mineral  output  for  1923  with  a  total  of 
$170,911,  as  compared  with  the  1922  figure  of  $226,832,  the  decrease 
being  due  to  gold. 

Its  mineral  resources  are  varied;  among  the  more  important  items 
being  barytes,  copper,  gems,  gold,  lead,  marble,  silver,  slate,  soapstone, 
and  miscellaneous  stone. 

The  Yosemite  Valley  is  in  Mariposa  County. 

Commercial  production  in  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Value 

Gold $141,883 

Silver 1,735 

Stone,  miscellaneous 22,200 

Other  minerals*    5,093 

Total  value $170,911 

♦Includes  barytes  and  pyrites. 

MENDOCINO. 

Area:  3,453  square  miles. 
Population:  24,116   (1920  census). 

Location:  Joins  Humboldt  County  on  the  south  and  bounded  by 
the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  west. 

Mendocino's  annual  mineral  production  has  usually  been  small,  the 
1923  output  being  valued  at  $53,410,  ranking  it  fiftieth  among  the 
counties.     That  of  1922  was  worth  $20,526. 

Deposits  of  in  part  undetermined  value  of  asbestos,  chromite,  coal, 
copper,  graphite,  magnesite,  and  mineral  water  have  been  found,  as 
well  as  traces  of  gold,  platinum,  and  silver. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous   $48,360 

Other   minerals*    5,050 

Total  value $53,410 

♦Includes  coal  and  natural  gas. 

MERCED. 

Area:  1,995  square  miles. 

Population:  24,579   (1920  census). 

Location :  About  the  geographical  center  of  the  state. 

Merced  County  as  a  whole  lies  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley,  and  it 
figures  as  one  of  the  lesser  mineral  producing  counties  of  the  state. 


132  MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

The  1923  mineral  output  was  valued  at  $235,630  compared  with 
$157,579  in  1922,  the  increase  being  due  to  building  tile  and  miscel- 
laneous stone.  Gold,  platinum,  and  silver  were  formerly  obtained  in 
important  amounts  by  dredging,  which  ceased  in  this  county  in  1918, 
though  a  small  yield  from  other  sources  still  continues.  Undeveloped 
deposits  of  antimony,  magnesite,  quicksilver,  and  limestone  have  been 
noted  in  this  county  in  addition  to  the  foregoing. 

In  thirty-eighth  place,  commercial  production  during  1923  was  as 
follows : 

Substance  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous    $134,063 

Other  minerals*    101,567 

Total  value $235,630 

•Includes  brick,  building  tile,  gold,  silver. 

MODOS. 

Area:  3,823  square  miles. 

Population:  5,425   (1920  census). 

Location:  The  extreme  northeast  corner  of  the  state. 

Modoc  County,  like  Lassen,  has  only  in  recent  years  had  the  benefit 
of  communication  with  the  outside  world  by  rail.  Among  its  known 
mineral  resources  are:  Clay,  coal,  gold,  iron,  quicksilver,  salt,  and 
silver.  In  fifty-third  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as 
follows : 

Substance  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous    $8,109 

Other   minerals*    288 

Total  value $8,397 

♦Includes  gold  and  silver. 

MONO. 

Area:  3,030  square  miles. 

Population:  960   (1920  census). 

Location:  Is  bordered  by  the  State  of  Nevada  on  the  east  and  is 

about  in  the  central  portion  of  the  state  measured  on  a  north 

and  south  line. 

Gold  mining  has  been  carried  on  in  portions  of  Mono  County  for 
many  years,  although  taken  as  a  whole  it  lies  in  a  somewhat  inaccessible 
country  so  far  as  rail  transportation  is  concerned.  It  is  in  the  con- 
tinuation of  the  highly  mineralized  belt  which  was  noted  in  Inyo  County 
and  contains  among  other  mineral  resources  barytes,  clay,  copper,  gold, 
limestone,  molybdenum,  pumice,  salt,  silver,  and  travertine. 

In  forty-eighth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Value 

Gold    $34,661 

Silver    : ■ 3.120 

Stone,   miscellaneous   . 10,000 

Other   minerals*    45,010 

Total  value $92,791 

•Includes  andalusite,  onyx,  salt   (medicinal). 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  133 

MONTEREY. 

Area:  3,330  square  miles. 
Population:  27,980  (1920  census). 

Location:  West-central    portion    of    state,    bordering    on    Pacific 
Ocean. 

Monterey  County  produced  nine  mineral  substances  during  the  year 
1923,  having  a  total  value  of  $222,022,  as  compared  with  the  1922 
output  worth  $255,319,  the  decrease  being  due  to  coal,  although 
dolomite  and  miscellaneous  stone  made  material  advances.  Its  mineral 
resources  include  brick,  clay,  copper,  coal,  dolomite,  feldspar,  fuller's 
earth,  gold,  gypsum,  infusorial  earth,  limestone,  mineral  water, 
petroleum,  quicksilver,  glass-sand,  sandstone,  silver,  and  miscellaneous 
stone. 

In  fortieth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Value 

Stone,  miscellaneousf $140,724 

Other   minerals*    81,298 

Total  value $222,022 

tincludes  molding,  building-,  blast,  filter,   stucco,  and  roofing  sand. 
♦Includes  asbestos,  diatomaceous  earth,  dolomite,  mineral  water,  quicksilver,   salt, 
silica   (glass-sand). 

NAPA. 

Area:  783  square  miles. 
Population:  20,678   (1920  census). 

Location:  Directly  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay — one  of  the  'bay 
counties. ' 

Napa,  because  of  its  production  of  structural  and  industrial  mate- 
rials and  mineral  water,  stands  thirty-fifth  on  the  list  of  mineral- 
producing  counties  in  California.  Its  mineral  resources  include  chro- 
mite,  copper,  gypsum,  magnesite,  mineral  water,  quicksilver,  sandstone, 
and  miscellaneous  stone.  In  the  past  this  county  has  been  one  of  the 
important  producers  of  quicksilver. 

In  1923  the  value  of  the  output  increased  to  $351,592  over  the  1922 
figure  of  $312,270,  due,  mainly  to  miscellaneous  stone  and  magnesite. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Mineral  water   69,639  gals.  $55,757 

Quicksilver    157  flasks  9,759 

Stone,   miscellaneous   215,356 

Other   minerals    70,720 

Total  value $351,592 

NEVADA. 

Area:  974  square  miles. 

Population:  10,860   (1920  census). 

Location :  North  of  Lake  Tahoe,  on  the  eastern  border  of  the  state. 

.  Nevada,  one  of  the  mountain  counties  of  California,  for  some  years 
alternated  with  Amador  in  the  gold  lead,  but  both  were  passed  by 
Yuba  in  1918-1921,  also  1923.  In  1922,  Nevada  again  led.  Nevada 
County  stands  seventeenth  on  the  list  in  regard  to  value  of  its  total 


134  MINERAL   INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

mineral  output,  with  a  figure  of  $2,370,770  as  compared  with  the  1922 
production  worth  $2,966,005.     The  decrease  is  due  mainly  to  gold. 

While  this  county  actually  produces  mainly  gold  and  silver,  its 
resources  cover  a  wide  scope,  including  antimony,  asbestos,  barytes, 
bismuth,  chromite,  clay,  copper,  gems,  iron,  lead,  mineral  paint,  pyrite, 
soapstone,  and  tungsten. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Gold   $2,282,155 

Lead    1,290  lbs.  90 

Silver 30,534 

Stone,    miscellaneous 42,309 

Other  minerals*    15,682 

Total  value $2,370,770 

•Includes  asbestos,  barytes,  copper,  granite,  mineral  paint,  platinum. 

ORANGE. 

Ai'ea :  795  square  miles. 

Population:  61,375   (1920  census). 

Location:  Southwestern  portion  of  state,  bordering  Pacific  Ocean. 

Orange  County  is  one  of  the  many  in  California  which  on  casual 
inspection  appears  to  be  anything  but  a  mineral-producing  section.  It 
stood  for  several  years,  however,  as  the  second  county  in  the  state  in 
regard  to  the  total  value  of  mineral  output,  on  account  of  its  highly 
productive  oil  fields.  It  was  passed  in  1922  by  Los  Angeles,  the 
credit  for  which  is  also  due  to  oil,  and  in  turn  Orange  passed  Kern 
County  in  1923. 

This  county  shows  an  increase  in  1923,  with  a  total  value  of  mineral 
products  of  $45,468,989,  compared  to  the  1922  output,  worth  $38,926,- 
087.  Orange  passed  Shasta  County  in  1917,  which  previously  for  a 
number  of  years  had  exceeded  all  other  counties  in  California,  except 
Kern. 

Aside  from  the  substances  actually  produced  and  noted  in  the  table 
below,  coal,  gypsum,  iron,  infusorial  earth,  sandstone,  and  tourmaline 
have  been  found  in  Orange  County. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance                                                                                 Amount  Value 

Brick    8,499  M  $103,428 

Natural  gas 55,477,147  M  3,914,661 

Petroleum 46,474,921  bbls.  40,897,930 

Stone,    miscellaneous 536,767 

Other   minerals*    16,203 

Total  value $45,468,989 

•Includes  clay    (pottery),   copper,   gold,  lead,   silver. 

PLACER. 

Area:  1,395  square  miles. 

Population:  18,584  (1920  census). 

Location:  Eastern  border  of  state  directly  west  of  Lake  Tahoe. 

While  standing  only  thirty-first  on  the  list  of  mineral-producing 
counties.  Placer  contains  a  wide  variety  of  mineral  substances,  some 
of  which  have  not  been  commercially  exploited.  Its  leading  products 
include  gold,  chromite,  granite,  copper,  and  clay.  Other  mineral 
resources  are:  Asbestos,  brick,  coal,  gems,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  mag- 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  135 

iiesite,  manganese,  marble,  quartz  crystals,  glass-sand,  silver,  and  mis- 
cellaneous stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows,  compared  to  a  total 
value  of  $405,975  for  the  preceding  year : 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Clay    (pottery) 82,919  tons  $143,097 

(lold   .  75,732 

(Iranite    5,146 

Silica    (quartz)    3,656  tons  10,040 

Silver    297 

Stone,   miscellaneous   139,829 

Other  minerals*    120,372 

Total  value $494,513 

♦Includes  brick,  building  tile,  chromite. 

PLUMAS. 

Area:  2,594  square  miles. 

Population:  5,681   (1920  census). 

Location:  Northeastern  border  of  state,  south  of  Lassen  County. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  area  of  Plumas  County  lies  in  the  high 
mountain,  and  deposits  of  the  metals,  especially  gold  and  copper,  are 
found  there.  Lack  of  transportation  and  other  facilities  has  retarded 
its  growth,  but  its  future  is  promising.  Mineral  production  for  1923 
Avas  valued  at  $3,784,262,  as  compared  with  the  1922  output,  worth 
$3,314,498,  the  increase  being  due  to  copper,  though  -there  were 
decreases  in  gold  and  silver.  This  placed  the  county  tenth  in  rank. 
In  1919  Plumas  passed  Shasta  in  the  copper  lead,  owing  to  the  Shasta 
smelters  being  closed  down,  which  position  Plumas  still  retains. 

Among  its  mineral  resources  are:  Chromite,  copper,  gold,  granite, 
iron,  lead,  limestone,  manganese,  molybdenum,  platinum,  silver,  and 
zinc. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance                                                                                 Amount  Value 

Copper     . 22,883,609  lbs.  $3,363,891 

Gold    174.871 

Silver   243,970 

Stone,   miscellaneous   780 

Other   minerals    750 

Total  value $3,784,262 

RIVERSIDE. 
Area:  7,240  square  miles. 


Population:  60,297   (1920  census). 
Location:  Southern  portion  of  state. 


Riverside  is  the  fourth  county  in  the  state  in  size  and  the  fifth  in 
regard  to  the  total  value  of  mineral  output  for  1923.  Within  its  bor- 
ders are  included  mountain,  desert,  and  agricultural  land.  Its  mineral 
resources  include  metals,  structural  and  industrial  materials,  and 
salines,  some  of  the  more  important  being  brick,  cement,  clay,  coal, 
copper,  feldspar,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  manganese, 
magnesite,  marble,  mineral  paint,  mineral  water,  salt,  soapstone,  silver, 
miscellaneous  stone  and  tin.  In  point  of  variety  Riverside  County 
showed  fourteen  different  minerals  commercially  produced  in  1923. 
The  increase  in  1923  over  the  1922  value  of  $3,243,917  was  due  to 
cement. 


]36                                       MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF  CALIFORNIA. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Brick  and  tile $676,584 

Clav    (pottery)    85,185  tons  246,033 

Feldspar    5,000  tons  39,000 

Granite    29,778 

Mineral   water   63,855  gals  5,277 

Silica    (quartz) 2,300  tons  15,000 

Stone,    miscellaneous    714,899 

Other  minerals*    5,367,282 


Total  value $7,093,853 

♦Includes  cement,  coal,  gems,  gold,  gypsum,  silver. 

SACRAMENTO. 

Area:  983  square  miles. 
Population:  90,978   (1920  census). 
Location :  North-central  portion  of  state. 

Sacramento  stands  sixteenth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  as  a 
mineral  producer,  the  output,  principally  gold,  for  1923,  being  valued 
at  $2,436,015,  as  compared  with  the  1922  production,  worth  $2,189,562. 
In  regard  to  gold  output  alone,  this  county  ranks  fourth,  being  exceeded 
only  by  Yuba,  Nevada,  and  Amador  counties,  the  Sacramento  product 
coming  from  the  dredges.  Its  mineral  resources  include:  Brick,  clay, 
gold,  granite,  natural  gas,  platinum,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Value 

Brick  and  tile $327,636 

Gold    1,331,227 

Granite     30,740 

■Silver 2,566 

Stone,    miscellaneous    649,939 

Other   minerals*    93,907 


Total  value ^ $2,436,015 

♦Includes  natural  gas  and  platinum. 

SAN   BENITO. 

Area:  1,392  square  miles. 
Population:  8,995   (1920  census). 
Location:  West-central  portion  of  state. 

Although  eighteenth  among  the  counties  of  the  state  in  regard  to 
value  of  total  mineral  production,  San  Benito  has  led  for  some  years 
in  one  important  branch  of  the  mineral  industry,  namely,  quicksilver. 
In  spite  of  the  shut-down  of  the  quicksilver  mines  in  1921-1922,  San 
Benito  County  retained  its  position  on  account  of  cement,  which 
showed  an  increased  yield  over  both  the  1921  and  1922  figures. 

Its  other  mineral  resources,  many  of  them  undeveloped,  include: 
Antimony,  asbestos,  bituminous  rock,  chromite,  coal,  dolomite,  gems, 
gypsum,  limestone,  magnesite,  mineral  water,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Stone,   miscellaneous   $424,854 

Other   minerals*    __, 1,853,049 

Total  value $2,277,903 

♦Includes  asbestos,  cement,   dolomite,  magnesite,   mineral  w^ater,   quicksilver. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  137 

SAN   BERNARDINO. 

Area:  20,157  square  miles. 
Population:  73,401   (1920  census). 
Location:  Southeastern  portion  of  state. 

San  Bernardino,  by  far  the  largest  county  in  the  state,  in  area,  ranks 
fourth  as  regards  the  value  of  its  mineral  output  for  1923  with  a  total 
of  $13,777,253,  as  compared  with  the  1922  total  of  $8,547,900.  The 
increase  is  due  mainly  to  cement,  and  in  part  to  borates,  potash,  and 
gold. 

San  Bernardino  for  several  years  (except  1918)  had  led  all  other 
eounties  in  the  state  in  point  of  variety  of  minerals,  producing  com- 
mercially during  1923  a  total  of  20  different  substances.  This  county 
also  ranks  first  as  a  silver  producer  in  the  state,  from  the  mines  of  the 
Randsburg  district.  In  fact,  the  California  Rand  mine,  there,  has 
been  the  largest,  single,  silver  producer  in  the  United  States  for  the 
past  three  years. 

This  county,  consisting  largely-  of  mountain  and  desert  country,  is 
highly  mineralized,  the  following  being  included  among  its  resources: 
Asbestos,  barytes,  borax,  brick,  cement,  clay,  copper,  gems,  gold, 
granite,  gypsum,  iron,  lead,  limestone,  manganese,  marble,  mineral 
paint,  mineral  water,  nitre,  potash,  salt,  soapstone,  soda,  miscellaneous 
stone,  strontium,  talc,  tungsten,  vanadium,  and  zinc. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Cement    3,554,764  bbls.  $8,478,61?s 

'May.    (pottery)    830  tons  12,630 

<'(ipper 13,328  lbs.  1,959 

Cold 210,923 

i.-ad 34,477   lbs.  2,413 

-imestone     5,859   tons  28,324 

'lit     17,350  tons  65.550 

!ver    2,225,959 

lie    7,248  tons  123,216 

one,   miscellaneous    351,151 

ther   minerals*    2,276,516 

Total  value $13,777,253 

*Includes  borates,   calcium  chloride,   gems,   gypsum,   lime,   mineral   water,   potash, 
'da    (trona),  tungsten  concentrates. 

SAN   DIEGO. 

Area:  4,221  square  miles. 
Population:  112,248   (1920  census). 
Location:  Extreme  southwest  corner  of  state. 

San  Diego  ranks  twenty-fifth  in  the  total  value  of  its  mineral  output 
and  tied  for  second  place  with  Los  Angeles  County  in  point  of  variety 
with  a  record  of  17  different  commercial  minerals  for  the  year.  The 
value  for  1923  equaled  $821,776,  as  compared  with  the  1922  output 
worth  $656,807.  In  1918  for  the  only  time  in  several  years,  there  was 
110  production  of  gems,  in  which  San  Diego  County  has  led  the  state. 
Aside  from  minerals  commercially  produced,  as  shown  below,  San 
Diego  County  contains  occurrences  of  bismuth,  lithia,  marble,  nickel, 
soapstone,  and  tin.    Potash  has  been  produced  from  kelp. 

A  development  of  recent  years  is  the  shipping  of  pebbles  for  grind- 
ing mills. 


138  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance                                                                                    Amount  Value 

Clay    (pottery)    5,603  tons  $100,977 

Feldspar    6,100  tons  42,800 

Gems    8,530 

Gold   822 

Granite    ^_.___  40,600 

Mineral  water   59,795  gals,  6,570 

Silver   144 

Stone,    miscellaneous    343,959 

Other   minerals*    277,394 

Total  value $821,796 

♦Includes  brick  and  tile,  fuller's  earth,  lead,  magnesium  chloride,  marble,  salt, 
silica    (quartz). 

SAN   FRANCISCO.  i 

Area:  43  square  miles. 
Population:  506,676   (1920  census). 

Surprising  as  it  may  appear  at  first  glance,  San  Francisco  County 
is  listed  among  the  mineral  producing  sections  of  the  state,  actual 
production  consisting  mainly  of  crushed  rock,  sand  and  gravel.  Small 
quantities  of  various  valuable  mineral  substances  are  found  here, 
including  cinnabar,  gypsum,  lignite,  and  magnesite,  none,  however,  in 
paying  quantities.     Some  pumice  has  been  produced. 

In  forty-fifth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows 

Substance  Value 

Stone,    miscellaneous $117,341 

SAN   JOAQUIN. 

Area:  1,448  square  miles. 
Population:  79,905   (1920  census). 
Location:  Central  portion  of  state. 

San  Joaquin  County  reported  a  mineral  production  for  the  year  1923 
having  a  total  value  of  $811,229,  as  compared  with  the'  1922  output 
worth  $473,395. 

Comparatively  few  mineral  substances  are  found  here,  the  chief  ones 
being  brick,  clay,  manganese,  natural  gas,  glass-sand,  and  miscellaneous 
stone.  Gold,  platinum,  and  silver  have  been  obtained  by  dredging  in 
the  Mokelumne  River,  which  forms  the  boundary  between  this  county 
and  Amador  on  the  northeast. 

In  twenty-sixth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows 

Substance  Value 

Clay  and  clay  products   $472,858 

Stone,    miscellaneous    260,597 

Other   minerals*    77,774 

Total  value $811,229 

♦Includes   manganese   ore   and  natural   gas. 

SAN   LUIS  OBISPO. 

Area:  3,334  square  miles. 
Population:  21,893   (1920  census). 
Location:  Bordered  by  Kern  County  on  the  east  and  the  Pacific 
Ocean  on  the  west. 

The  total  value  of  the  mineral  production  of  San  Luis  Obispo  County 
in  1923  was  $145,249,  as  compared  with  the  1922  output,  worth  $141,- 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  139 

470,  the  increase  being  due  to  miscellaneous  stone.  Among  its  mineral 
resources,  both  developed  and  undeveloped,  are:  Asphalt,  bituminous 
rock,  brick,  chromite,  coal,  copper,  gypsum,  infusorial  earth,  iron, 
limestone,  marble,  mineral  water,  onyx,  petroleum,  quicksilver,  soda, 
and  miscellaneous  stone. 

In  forty-fourth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Petroleum    32,988  bbls.  $19,793 

Stone,    miscellaneous    46,479 

Other  minerals*    78,977 

Total  value $145,249 

♦Includes   chromite,    diatomaceous    earth,    mineral    water,    quicksilver,    soda    (salt 

cake). 

SAN   MATEO. 

Area:  447  square  miles. 

Population:  36,781   (1920  census). 

Location:  Peninsula,  adjoined  by  San  Francisco  on  the  north. 

San  Mateo's  most  important  mineral  products  are  stone  and  salt,  the 
last-named  being  derived  by  evaporation  from  the  waters  of  San  Fran- 
cisco Bay.  The  total  value  of  all  mineral  production  during  1923 
equaled  $329,816,  as  compared  with  the  1922  figures  of  $243,984,  the 
increase  being  due  to  both  salt,  and  stone. 

Small  amounts  of  barytes,  chromite,  infusorial  earth,  and  quicksilver 
have  been  noted  in  addition  to  the  items  of  economic  value  given  below. 

Bricks  have  also  been  produced  commercially. 

In  thirty-sixth  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Salt     35,757   tons  "     $199,192 

Stone,    miscellaneous    96,815 

Other   minerals*    33,809 

Total  v^lue $329,816 

*Includes   magnesium   chloride,    petroleum,    potash. 

SANTA   BARBARA. 

Area:  2,740  square  miles. 
Population:  41,097   (1920  census). 

Location:    Southwestern    portion    of   state,    adjoining    San    Luis 
Obispo  on  the  south. 

Santa  Barbara  County  owes  its  position  of  sixth  in  the  state  in 
regard  to  its  mineral  output  to  the  presence  of  productive  oil  fields 
within  its  boundaries.  The  total  value  of  its  mineral  production  during 
the  year  1923  was  $5,005,872,  as  compared  with  the  1922  output  of 
$4,613,358. 

Aside  from  the  mineral  substances  listed  below,  Santa  Barbara 
County  contains  asphalt,  diatomaceous  earth,  gilsonite,  gypsum,  mag- 
iiesite,  and  quicksilver  in  more  or  less  abundance. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Mineral   water   81,200  gals.  $80,300 

Natural   gas   1.612,287  M  cu.  ft.  172,725 

Petroleum    3,061,947  bbls.  2,394,433 

Stone,   miscellaneous   14,324 

Other   minerals*    2,344,090 

Total  value $5,005,872 

♦Includes  bituminous  rock,  diatomaceous  earth,  sandstone,   sh?ile  oil. 


140  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

SANTA  CLARA. 

Area:  1,328  square  miles. 
Population:  100,588   (1920  census). 
Location:  West-central  portion  of  state. 

Santa  Clara  County  reported  a  mineral  output  for  1923  of  $1,320 
393  as  compared  with  the  1922  figures  of  $894,036,  the  increase  bein 
due  to  brick,  magnesite,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

This  county,  lying  largely  in  the  Coast  Range  Mountains,  contains 
a  wide  variety  of  mineral  substances,  including  brick,  chromite,  clay, 
limestone,  magnesite,  manganese,  mineral  water,  petroleum,  quicksilver, 
soapstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

In  twenty-second  place,  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as 
follows : 

Substance                                                                                    Amount  Value 

Brick - 22,514  M  $282,997 

Clay    (pottery)    2,202  tons  3,954 

Limestone  and  marl   8,252  tons  49,512 

Magnesite    36,390   tons  472,620 

Stone,    miscellaneous    314,935 

Other  minerals*    196,375 

Total  value $1,320,393 

*Includes  mineral  water,  natural  gas,   petroleum,   quicksilver.  • 

SANTA  CRUZ. 

Area:  435  square  miles. 
Population:  26,269   (1920  census). 

Location:  Bordering    Pacific    Ocean,    just    south    of    San    Mateo 
County. 

The  mineral  output  of  Santa  Cruz  County,  a  portion  of  which  is 
itemized  below,  amounted  to  a  total  value  of  $4,225,905,  giving  the 
county  a  standing  of  ninth  among  all  others  in  the  state  in  this  regard. 

The  increase  over  the  1922  figure  of  $3,608,805  is  due  to  cement. 

The  commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Lime 15,766   tons  $203,632 

Limestone   6,733  tons  14,24? 

Stone,   miscellaneous    15.863 

Other   minerals*    3,992,668; 


Total  value , $4,225,905: 

♦Includes  bituminous   rock,   cement,   potash. 

SHASTA. 

Area:  3,858  square  miles. 
Population:  13,311   (1920  census). 
Location :  North-central  portion  of  state. 

Shasta  County  stood  twentieth  in  California  among  the  mineral 
producing  counties  for  1923,  with  an  output  valued  at  $1,563,387,  as 
compared  with  the  1922  production  worth  $1,513,591,  the  increase 
being  due  to  copper. 

The  market  decrease  in  1918-1921  was  due  to  the  falling  off  in  the 
output  of  copper,  the  large  plants  of  the  Mammoth  and  Mountain 
copper  companies  being  shut  down.  Not  taking  petroleum  into  account 
Shasta  for  a  number  of  years  led  all  of  the  counties  by  a  wide  margin  j 


STATISTICS  OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  141 

l>ut  in  1919-1923  has  been  passed  by  San  Bernardino,  Plumas,  Yuba, 
Inyo,  Sacramento,  Nevada,  and  Amador,  among  the  'metal'  counties. 

Shasta's  mineral  resources  include:  Asbestos,  barytes,  brick,  chromite, 
coal,  copper,  gold,  iron,  lead,  lime,  limestone,  mineral  water,  molyb- 
(h^num,  pyrite,  silver,  soapstone,  miscellaneous  stone,  and  zinc. 

Lassen  Peak  is  located  in  southeastern  Shasta  County. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Copper     3,437,963  lbs.  $505,381 

Gold    359,487 

Lead     328,115  lbs.                                22,968 

Platinum 299  fine  oz.                         43,326 

Silver 47,706 

Stone,   miscellaneous   86,500 

Other   minerals*    498,019 


Total  value $1,563,387 

♦Includes  asbestos,  barytes,  iron  ore,  lime,  limestone,  pyrites. 

SIERRA. 

Area:  923  square  miles. 

Population:  1,783   (1920  census). 

Locution :  Eastern  border  of  state,  just  north  of  Nevada  County. 

Sierra  County  reported  a  mineral  production  of  $886,610  mainly  Qf 
gold  and  silver,  during  the  year  1923,  as  compared  with  the  1922  out- 
put, w^orth  $1,770,626,  the  decrease  being  due  to  gold.  Considering 
gold  output  alone  this  county  stands  sixth;  and  as  to  total  mineral 
yield,  twenty-third. 

Aside  from  the  metals  itemized  below,  Sierra  County  contains  deposits 
of  asbestos,  chromite,  copper,  iron,  lead,  platinum,  serpentine,  and  talc. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance    ,  Value 

(Jold    : $878,164 

Silver i 6,134 

Stone,    miscellaneous    2,312 


Total  value , $886,610 

SISKIYOU. 

Area:  6,256  square  miles. 
Population:  18,545   (1920  census). 

Location:  Extreme  north-central  portion  of  state,  next  to  Oregon 
boundary. 

Siskiyou,  fifth  county  in  California  in  regard  to  size,  located  in  a 
highly  mineralized  and  mountainous  country,  ranks  forty-second  in 
regard  to  the  value  of  its  mineral  output  for  1923.  The  increase  over 
1922  was  due  mainly  to  stone  and  gravel  used  in  highway  construction. 

Although  the  county  is  traversed  by  a  transcontinental  railroad  in  a 
north  and  south  line,  the  mineral-bearing  sections  are  almost  without 
exception  far  from  transportation  and  other  facilities.  A  large  part 
i  of  the  county  is  accessible  by  trail  only.  Future  development  and 
exploitation  will  increase  the  productiveness  of  this  part  of  the  state 
to  a  considerable  degree. 

Mount  Shasta  is  located  in  Siskiyou  County. 

Among  Siskiyou's  mineral  resources  are:  Chromite,  clay,  coal,  cop- 
per, gems,  gold,  lead,  limestone,  manganese,  marble,  mineral  water, 
pumice,  quicksilver,  sandstone,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 


142  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

Commercial  prodnetion  for  1928  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Gold $45,633 

Mineral   water   200,150  gals.  4,042 

Platinum 3  fine  oz.  339 

Silver    298 

Stone,   miscellaneous   ^-         129,291 

Other   minerals*    1,408 

Total  value . $181,011 

♦Includes  lead  and  lime. 

SOLANO. 
Area:  822  square  miles. 
Population:  40,602   (1920  census). 
Location:  Touching  San  Francisco  Bay  on  the  northeast. 

Solano,  while  mostly  valley  land,  produced  mineral  substances  during 
the  year  1923  to  the  total  value  of  $3,376,885,  ranking  twelfth  among 
the  counties  of  the  state,  the  increase  over  the  1922  figures  of  $3,108,114 
being  due  to  cement.  Among  her  mineral  resources  are :  Brick,  cement, 
clay,  fuller's  earth,  limestone,  mineral  water,  natural  gas,  onyx,  quick- 
silver, salt,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Stone,   miscellaneous $113,545 

Other   minerals* 3,263,340 

Total  value $3,376,885 

♦Includes  cement,  mineral  water,  onyx  and  travertine,  quicksilver. 

SONOMA. 
Area:  1.577  square  miles. 
Population:  51,990  (1920  census). 
Location:  South  of  Mendocino  County,  bordering  on  the  Pacific 
Ocean. 

Sonoma  ranked  thirty-ninth  among  the  counties  of  California  during 
the  year  1923,  with  a  mineral  production  of  $227,312,  as  compared 
with  its  1922  output  worth  $221,941.  More  paving  blocks  have  been 
turned  out  here  than  in  any  other  section  of  the  state,  but  this  industry 
has  now  practically  ceased,  owing  to  the  construction  of  smooth-surface 
pavements  both  in  the  cities  and  on  the  highways. 

Among  Sonoma's  mineral  resources  are:  Brick,  chromite,  clay,  cop- 
per, graphite,  infusorial  earth,  magnesite,  manganese,  marble,  minera 
paint,  mineral  water,  quicksilver,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Mineral   water   30,661  gals.  $7,10( 

Quicksilver   528  flasks  31, 141 

Stone,  miscellaneous 189, 05J 

Total  value $227, 31J 

STANISLAUS. 

Area:  1,450  square  miles. 

Population:  43,557   (1920  census). 

Location:  Center  of  state,  bounded  on  south  by  Merced  County. 

Gold  has  usually  been  the  chief  mineral  product  of  Stanislaus  County, 
but  it  was  exceeded  in  1918-1919  by  manganese,  and  in  1921-1923  by 


I 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  143 

niiscellaiieous  stone.  Brick,  clay,  gypsum,  mineral  paint,  quicksilver, 
;ind  silver  are  found  here  to  some  extent  as  well.  This  county  for 
1923  ranks  thirty-third  in  the  state  in  regard  to  value  of  minerals, 
with  an  output  of  $445,515  as  compared  with  $452,167  in  1922,  the 
decrease  being  due  to  magnesite  and  miscellaneous  stone,  though  there 
was  an  increase  in  gold  yield.  Gold,  platinum,  and  silver  are  obtained 
mainly  by  dredging. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance                                                                                 Amount  Value 

Gold    $174,814 

Mineral    paint    1,023  tons  10,745 

Silver   833 

Stone,    miscellaneous    231,965 

Other   minerals*    27,158 

Total  value .1 $445,515 

♦Includes  magrnesite,   manganese   ore,   platinum. 

SUTTER. 

Area:  608  square  miles. 
Population:  10,115   (1920  census). 

Location :  Bounded  by  Butte  County  on  the  north  and  Sacramento 
on  the  south. 

Sutter  is  one  of  only  two  counties  in  the  state  which  for  a  number  of 
years  reported  no  commercial  output  of  some  kind  of  mineral  substance. 
In  1917  some  crushed  rock  was  taken  out,  from  the  Marysville  Buttes, 
but  there  w^as  no  production  in  1918,  nor  1919.  There  has  been  some 
utilization  of  natural  gas.  The  1923  mineral  yield  was  valued  at  $97, 
being  concealed  under  '  unapportioned. '  Both  coal  and  clay  exist  here, 
but  deposits  of  neither  mineral  have  been  placed  on  a  productive  basis. 

[t  TEHAMA. 

Area:  2,893  square  miles. 
Population:  12,882   (1920  census). 

Location :  North-central  portion  of  the  state,  bounded  on  the  north 
by  Shasta. 

Tehama  stands  fifty-fifth  among  the  mineral  producing  counties  of 
the  state  for  1923,  when  its  output  was  valued  at  $6,216,  as  compared 
with  the  1922  yield  -worth  $9,388. 

Among  its  mineral  resources  are  listed :  Brick,  chromite,  copper,  gold, 
manganese,  marble,  mineral  water,  salt,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

The  1923  yield  was  distributed  as  follows: 

Substance  Value 

Stone,   miscellaneous   $4,900 

Other    minerals 1,316 

Total  value $6,216 

TRINITY. 

Area:  3,166  square  miles. 
.       Population:  2,551   (1920  census). 
.      Location:  Northwestern  portion  of  state. 

f?^  Trinity,  like  its  neighbor,  Siskiyou  County,  requires  transportation 
facilities  to  further  the  development  of  its  many  and  varied  mineral 
resources.    Deposits  of  asbestos,  barytes,  chromite,  copper,  gold,  mineral 


144  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

water,  platinum,  quicksilver,  silver,  and  building  stone  are  known  here, 
but  with  the  exception  of  gold,  chromite,  copper,  quicksilver,  and  plati- 
num, very  little  active  production  of  these  mineral  substances  has  been 
made  as  yet.  The  1923  output  of  $677,174  shows  an  increase  over  the 
1922  figure  of  $197,937,  due  to  gold  and  copper,  giving  the  county 
rank  of  twenty-eighth,  for  the  year: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Copper    329,706  lbs.  '       $48,467 

Gold    ■    617,841 

Platinum   18  fine  oz.  2,050 

Silver 5,816 

Stone,   miscellaneous 3,000 

Total  value $677,174 

TULARE. 

Area:  4,856  square  miles. 
Population:  59,031   (1920  census). 

Location :  Bounded  by  Inyo  on  the  east,  Kern  on  the  south,  Fresno 
on  the  north. 

Tulare  stands  thirty-second  on  the  list  of  mineral-producing  counties, 
the  increase  over  the  1922  value  being  due  mainly  to  magnesite. 
This  county's  mineral  resources,  among  others,  are:  Brick,  clay,  copper, 
feldspar,  graphite,  gems,  limestone,  magnesite,  marble,  quartz,  glass- 
sand,  soapstone,  miscellaneous  stone,  and  zinc.  Tulare  for  a  number 
of  years  led  the  state  in  magnesite  output,  except  in  1918  when  it  was 
passed  by  Napa  County,  and  in  1921-1923  by  Santa  Clara. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  Avas  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Limestone    15,500  tons  $57,500 

Magnesite   24,058  tons  298,272 

Natural   gas   380Mcu.  ft.  190 

Stone,    miscellaneous 1,990 

Other   minerals*    108,607 

Total  value $466,559 

♦Includes  brick  and  granite. 

TUOLUMNE. 

Area:  2,190  square  miles. 

Population:  7,768   (1920  census). 

Location:  East-central  portion  of  state — Mother  Lode  District. 

Tuolumne  ranks  twenty-ninth  among  counties  of  the  state  relative 
to  its  total  value  of  mineral  output  for  1923.  This  county  ranks  first 
as  a  producer  of  marble  in  the  state.  The  decrease  in  the  year's 
valuation  to  $670,362  for  1923  from  the  1922  figure  of  $764,938  was 
due  to  miscellaneous  stone,  though  there  was  a  gain  in  gold  output. 

Chromite,  clay,  copper,  gold,  lead,  limestone,  marble,  mineral  paint, 
platinum,  soapstone,  silver,  and  miscellaneous  stone  are  among  its 
mineral  resources. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows: 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Gold   $261,936 

Limestone    3,140  tons  7,680 

Silver     2,801 

Stone,   miscellaneous   9,800 

Other   minerals*    388,145 

Total  value $670,362 

♦Includes  granite,  lime,  magnesite,  marble. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANlSfUAL   PRODUCTIOl^.  l45 

VENTURA. 

Area:  1,878  square  miles. 
Population:  28,724  (1920  census). 

Location:  Southwestern   portion   of   state,    bordering    on   Pacific 
Ocean. 

Ventura  is  the  eighth  county  in  the  state  in  respect  to  the  value  of 
its  mineral  production  for  1923,  the  exact  figure  being  $4,679,684,  as 
compared  with  the  output  for  1922,  worth  $5,837,078,  the  decrease 
being  due  to  lower  petroleum  prices. 

The  highest  gravity  petroleum  produced  in  the  state  is  found  here. 

Among  its  other  mineral  resources  are:  Asphalt,  borax,  brick,  clay, 
mineral  ^^ter,  natural  gas,  sandstone,  and  miscellaneous  stone. 

Commercial  production  for  1923  was  as  follows : 

Substance  Amount  Value 

Natural  gas   4,162,318  M  $470,261 

Petroleum    3,610,794  bbls.  4,109,084 

Stone,   miscellaneous    88,211 

Other   minerals*    12,128 


Total  value --  $4,679,684 

*Includes  mineral  paint  and  sandstone. 

YOLO. 

Ai'ea:  1,014  square  miles. 
Population:  17,105   (1920  census). 

Location:  Sacramento  Valley,  bounded  by  Sutter  on  the  east  and 
Colusa  on  the  north. 

The  mineral  production  from  Yolo  County  during  the  year  1923 
consisted  mainly  of  miscellaneous  stone,  valued  at  $16,957,  ranking  it 
in  fifty-second  place.  Deposits  of  undetermined  value  of  iron  and  sand- 
stone have  been  discovered  within  the  confines  of  this  county.  Quick- 
silver has  also  been  produced. 

YUBA. 

{  Area :  639  square  miles. 

Population:  10,375   (1920  census). 

Locatio^i:  Lies  west   of   Sierra   and   Nevada   counties;   south   of 
Plumas. 

Yuba  is  eleventh  of  the  mineral-producing  counties  of  the  State,  and 
first  in  regard  to  gold  output  for  1923,  regaining  its  lead  over  Nevada 
County  in  that  metal.  Iron  and  clay  deposits  have  been  reported  in 
this  county  aside  from  the  following  commercial  production  shown  for 
the  year  1923.  The  increase  over  the  1922  figure  of  $2,588,316  was 
due  mainly  to  gold  obtained  by  the  dredgers,  which  also  yield  silver 
and  platinum,  and  also  due  in  part  to  sand.  The  1921  dredge  yield 
of  gold  was  a  record  for  the  county. 

The  1923  production  of  Yuba  County  was  distributed  as  follows : 

Substance                                                                                 Amount  Value 

Gold    $3,150,405 

Platinum     158  fine  oz.  16,974 

Silver    6,760 

Stone,  miscellaneous   216,890 

'"ther   minerals   100 


^th 

I 


Total  value $3,391,129 

10—35173 


146  MINERAL  INDUSTRY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

APPENDIX. 


MINING  BUREAU  ACT. 

Chapter  679, 
[Stats.,  1913.] 

An  act  establishing  a  state  mining  bureau,  creating  the  office  of  state  mineralogist, 
fixing  his  salary  and  prescribing  his  powers  and  duties;  providing  for  the 
employment  of  officers  and  employees  of  said  bureau,  making  it  the  duty  of 
persons  in  charge  of  mines,  mining  operations  and  quarries  to  make  certain 
reports,  providing  for  the  investigation  of  mining  operations,  dealings  and 
transactions  and  the  prosecution  for  defrauding,  swindling  and  cheating  therein, 
creating  a  state  mining  bureau  fund  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  provisions 
of  this  act  and  repealing  an  act  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  establisJiment, 
maintenance,  and  support  of  a  bureau,  to  be  known  as  the  state  mimng  bureau, 
and  for  the  appointment  and  duties  of  a  board  of  trustees,  to  be  known  as  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  who  shall  have  the  direction,  man- 
agement and  control  of  said  state  mining  bureau,  and  to  provide  for  the  appoint- 
ment, duties,  and  compensation  of  a  state  mineralogist,  who  shall  perform  the 
duties  of  his  office  under  the  control,  direction  and  supervision  of  the  board  of, 
trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,"  approved  March  23,  1893,  and  all  acts 
amendatory  thereof  and   supplemental   thereto   or   in   conflict   herewith. 

[Approved  June  16,  1913.     In  effect  August  10,  1913.] 

The  people  of  the  State  of  California  do  enact  as  folloivs: 

Section  1.  There  is  hereby  created  and  established  a  state  mining  bureau.  The 
chief  officer  of  such  bureau  shall  be  the  state  mineralogist,  which  office  is  hereby 
created. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  governor  of  the  State  of  California  and  he  is 
hereby  empow^ered  to  appoint  a  citizen  and  resident  of  this  state,  having  a  practical 
and  scientific  knovv^ledge  of  mining,  to  the  office  of  state  mineralogist.  Said  state 
mineralogist  shall  hold  his'  office  at  the  pleasure  of  the  governor.  He  shall  be  a  civil 
executive  officer.  He  shall  take  and  subscribe  the  same  oath  of  office  as  othei 
state  officers.  He  shall  receive  for  his  services  a  salary  of  three  hundred  dollars 
($300)  per  month,  to  be  paid  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner  as  th€ 
salaries  of  other  state  officers.  He  shall  also  receive  his  necessary  traveling 
expenses  when  traveling  on  the  business  of  his  office.  He  shall  give  bond  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  duties  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000), 
said  bond  to  be  approved  by  the  governor  of  the  State  of  California. 

Sec.  3.  Said  state  mineralogist  shall  employ  competent  geologists,  field  assistants 
qualified  specialists  and  office  employees  when  necessary  in  the  execution  of  his 
plans  and  operations  of  the  bureau,  and  fix  their  compensation.  The  said  employees 
shall  be  allowed  their  necessary  traveling  expenses  when  traveling  on  the  business  o\ 
said  department  and  shall  hold  office  at  the  pleasure  of  said  state  mineralogist. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  state  mineralogist  to  make,  facilitate,  and 
encourage,  special  studies  of  the  mineral  resources  and  mineral  industries  of  th( 
state.  It  shall  be  his  duty  :  to  collect  statistics  concerning  the  occurrence  and  pro 
duction  of  the  economically  important  minerals  and  the  methods  pursued  in  making 
their  valuable  constituents  available  for  commercial  use ;  to  make  a  collection  ol 
typical  geological  and  mineralogical  specimens,  especially  those  of  economic  anc 
commercial  importance,  such  collection  constituting  the  museum  of  the  state  mininj 
bureau ;  to  provide  a  library  of  books,  reports,  drawings,  bearing  upon  the  minera 
industries,  and  sciences  of  mineralogy  and  geology,  and  arts  of  mining  and  metallurgy 
such  library  constituting  the  library  of  the  state  mining  bureau ;  to  make 
collection  of  models,  drawings  and  descriptions  of  the  mechanical  appliances  usee 
in  mining  and  metallurgical  processes ;  to  preserve  and  so  maintain  such  collectionj 
and  library  as  to  make  them  available  for  reference  and  examination,  and  open  t( 
public  inspection  at  reasonable  hours ;  to  maintain,  in  effect,  a  bureau  of  informatioi 
concerning  the  mineral  industries  of  this  state,  to  consist  of  such  collections  am 
library,  and  to  arrange,  classify,  catalogue,  and  index  the  data  therein  contained,  ii 
a  manner  to  make  the  information  available  to  those  desiring  it ;  to  issue  from  tim( 


STATISTICS   OF    ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  147 

to  time  such  bulletins  as  he  may  deem  advisable  concerning  the  statistics  and  tech- 
nology of  the  mineral  industries  of  this  state. 

Sec.  5.  It  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  the  owner,  lessor,  lessee,  agent,  manager 
or  other  person  in  charge  of  each  and  every  mine,  of  whatever  kind  or  character, 
within  the  state,  to  forward  to  the  state  mineralogist,  upon  his  request,  at  his  office 
not  later  than  the  thirtieth  day  of  June,  in  each  year,  a  detailed  report  upon  forms 
which  will  be  furnished  showing  the  character  of  the  mine,  the  number  of  men  then 
employed,  the  method  of  working  such  mine  and  the  general  condition  thereof,  the 
total  mineral  production  for  the  past  year,  and  such  owner,  lessor,  lessee,  agent, 
manager  or  other  person  in  charge  of  any  mine  within  the  state  must  furnisli 
whatever  information  relative  to  such  mine  as  the  state  mineralogist  may  from 
time  to  time  require  for  the  proper  discharge  of  his  official  duties.  Any  owner, 
lessor,  lessee,  agent,  manager  or  other  person  in  charge  of  each  and  every  mine,  of 
i  whatever  kind  or  character  within  the  state,  who  fails  to  comply  with  the  above 
.provisions  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor.* 

Sec.  6.  The  state  mineralogist  now  performing  the  duties  of  the  office  of  state 
mineralogist  shall  perform  the  duties  of  the  office  of  state  mineralogist  as  in  this 
act  provided  until  the  appointment  and  qualification  of  his  successor  as  in  this  act 
provided. 

Sec.  7.  The  said  state  mineralogist  shall  take  possession,  charge  and  control  of 
■the  offices  now  occupied  and  used  by  the  board  of  trustees  and  state  mineralogist 
land  the  museum,  library  and  laboratory  of  the  mining  bureau  located  in  San  Fran- 
cisco as  provided  for  by  a  certain  act  of  the  legislature  approved  March  23,  1893, 
and  hereafter  referred  to  in  section  fourteen  hereof,  and  shall  maintain  such  offices, 
museum,  library  and  laboratory  for  the  purposes  provided  in  this  act. 

Sec.  8.  Said  state  mineralogist  or  qualified  assistant  shall  have  full  power  and 
authority  at  any  time  to  enter  or  examine  any  and  all  mines,  quarries,  wells,  mills, 
reduction  works,  refining  works  and  other  mineral  properties  or  working  plants  in 
this  state  in  order  to  gather  data  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this  act.  • 

Sec.  9.  The  state  mineralogist  shall  make  a  biennial  report  to  the  governor  on 
or  before  the  fifteenth  day  of  September  next  preceding  the  regular  session  of  the 
legislature. 

Sec.  10.  All  moneys  received  by  the  state  mining  bureau  or  any  officer  thereof 
(except  such  as  may  be  paid  to  them  by  the  state  for  disbursement)  shall  be 
receipted  for  by  the  state  mineralogist  or  other  officer  authorized  by  him  to  act  in 
his  place  and  at  least  once  a  month  accounted  for  by  him  to  the  state  controller  and 
paid  into  the  state  treasury  to  the  credit  of  a  fund  which  is  hereby  created  and 
designated  "state  mining  bureau  fund."  All  moneys  now  in  the  possession  of  the 
state  mining  bureau  or  any  officer  thereof  received  from  any  source  whatsoever, 
shall  be  immediately  paid  over  to  the  state  mineralogist  and  by  him  accounted  for 
to  the  controller  and  paid  into  the  state  treasury  to  the  credit  of  said  fund.  Said 
fund  shall  be  used  and  is  hereby  appropriated  for  the  use  of  said  bureau  in  carrying 
out  the  purposes  of  this  act. 

Sec.  11.  The  said  state  mineralogist  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to 
receive  on  behalf  of  this  state,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  state  mining  bureau, 
gifts,  bequests,  devices  and  legacies  of  real  or  other  property  and  to  use  the  same  in 
accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  donors,  and  if  no  instructions  are  given  by  said 
'lunors,  to  manage,  use,  and  dispose  of  the  gifts  and  bequests  and  legacies  for  the 
Iii'st  interests  of  said  state  mining  bureau  and  in  such  manner  as  he  may  deem  proper. 

Sec.  12.  The  state  mineralogist  may,  whenever  he  deems  it  advisable,  prepare  a 
special  collection  of  ores  and  minerals  of  California  to  be  sent  to  or  used  at  any 
world's  fair  or  exposition  in  order  to  display  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  state. 

Sec.  13.  The  state  mineralogist  is  hereby  empowered  to  fix  a  price  upon  and  to 
dispose  of  to  the  public,  at  such  price,  any  and  all  publications  of  the  state  mining 
bureau,  including  reports,  bulletins,  maps,  registers  or  other  publications,  such  price 
shall   approximate    the    cost   of   publication    and    distribution.     Any    and    all    sums 


*Sec.  19  of  the  Penal  Code  of  California  provides:  "Except  in  cases  where  a  differ- 
ent punishment  is  prescribed  by  this  code,  every  offense  declared  to  be  a  misde- 
meanor is  punishable  by  imprisonment  in  a  county  jail  not  exceeding  six  months,  or 
by  a  fine  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars,  or  by  both." 


148  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

derived  from  such  disposition,  or  from  gifts  or  bequests  made,  as  hereinbefore  pro- 
vided must  be  accounted  for  by  said  state  mineralogist  and  turned  over  to  the 
state  treasurer  to  be  credited  to  the  mining  bureau  fund  as  provided  for  in  section 
ten.  He  is  also  empowered  to  furnish  v^ithout  cost  to  public  libraries  the  publications 
of  the  bureau,  and  to  exchange  publications  with  other  geological  surveys  and 
scientific  societies,  etc. 

Sec.  14.  The  state  mineralogist  provided  for  by  this  act  shall  be  the  successor 
in  interest  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  and  the  state 
mineralogist,  under  and  by  virtue  of  that  certain  act,  entitled  "An  act  to  provide 
for  the  establishment,  maintenance,  and  support  of  a  bureau,  to  be  known  as  the 
state  mining  bureau,  and  for  the  appointment  and  duties  of  a  board  of  trustees,  to 
be  known  as  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  who  shall  have  the 
direction,  management,  and  control  of  said  state  mining  bureau,  and  to  provide  for 
the  appointment,  duties,  and  compensation  of  a  state  mineralogist,  who  shall  perform 
the  duties  of  his  ofiice  under  the  control,  direction  and  supervision  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,"  approved  March  23,  1893,  and  all  books, 
papers,  documents,  personal  property,  records,  and  property  of  every  kind  and 
description  obtained  or  possessed,  or  held  or  controlled  by  the  said  board  of  trustees 
of  the  said  state  mining  bureau,  and  the  state  mineralogist,  and  the  clerks  and 
employees  thereof,  under  the  provisions  of  said  act  of  March  23,  1893,  or  any  act 
supplemental  thereto  or  amendatory  thereof,  shall  immediately  be  turned  over  and 
delivered  to  the  said  state  mineralogist  herein  provided  for,  who  shall  have  charge 
and  control  thereof. 

Sec.  15.  That  certain  act  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  establishment, 
maintenance,  and  support  of  a  bureau,  to  be  known  as  the  state  mining  bureau,  and 
for  the  appointment  and  duties  of  a  board  of  trustees,  to  be  known  as  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  state  mining  bureau,  and  to  provide  for  the  appointment,  duties 
and  compensation  of  a  state  mineralogist,  who  shall  perform  the  duties  of  his  oflace 
under  the  control,  direction,  and  supervision  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  state 
mining  bureau,"  approved  March  23,  1893,  together  with  all  acts  amendatory 
thereof  and  supplemental  thereto  and  all  acts  in  conflict  herewith  are  hereby 
repealed. 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  149 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  CALIFORNIA  STATE 
MINING  BUREAU. 

During  the  past  forty-four  years,  in  carrying  out  the  provisions  of 
the  organic  act  creating  the  California  State  Mining  Bureau,  there 
have  been  published  many  reports,  bulletins  and  maps  which  go  to  make 
up  a  library  of  detailed  information  on  the  mineral  industry  of  the 
state,  a  large  part  of  which  could  not  be  duplicated  from  any  other 
source. 

One  feature  that  has  added  to  the  popularity  of  the  publications  is 
that  many  of  them  have  been  distributed  without  cost  to  the  public,  and 
even  the  more  elaborate  ones  have  been  sold  at  a  price  which  barely 
covers  the  cost  of  printing. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  funds  for  the  advancing  of  the  work  of  this 
department  have  often  been  limited,  many  of  the  reports  and  bulletins 
mentioned  were  printed  in  limited  editions  which  are  now  entirely 
exhausted. 

Copies  of  such  publications  are  available,  however,  in  the  Bureau's 
offices  in  the  Ferry  Building,  San  Francisco ;  Pacific  Finance  Building, 
Los  Angeles;  in  Sacramento;  Santa  Maria;  Santa  Paula;  Coalinga; 
Taft;  Bakersfield.  They  may  also  be  found  in  many  public,  private 
and  technical  libraries  in  California  and  other  states,  and  foreign 
countries. 

A  catalog  of  all  publications  of  the  Bureau,  from  1880  to  1917, 
giving  a  synopsis  of  their  contents,  is  issued  as  Bulletin  No.  77. 

Publications  in  stock  may  he  obtained  by  addressing  any  of  the  offices 
of  the  State  Mining  Bureau  and  enclosing  the  requisite  amount  in  the 
case  of  publications  that  have  a  list  price.  The  Bureau  is  authorized 
to  receive  only  coin,  stamps  or  money  orders,  and  it  will  be  appreciated 
if  remittance  is  made  in  this  manner  rather  than  by  personal  check. 

The  prices  noted  include  delivery  charges  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
States.  Money  orders  should  be  made  payable  to  the  State  Mining 
Bureau. 


150  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

REPORTS. 

Asterisks  (**)  indicate  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 

Price 

♦*First  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,   1880,  43  pp.     Henry  G. 

Hanks 

**Second  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1882,  514  pp.,  4  illustra- 
tions, 1  map.     Henry  G.  Hanks 

♦*Third  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1883,  111  pp.,  21  illustra- 
tions.    Henry   G.  Hanks 

♦♦Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1884,  410  pp.,  7  illustra- 
tions.    Henry   G.   Hanks 

♦♦Fifth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1885,  234  pp.,  15  illustra- 
tions, 1  geological  map.     Henry  G.  Hanks 

♦♦Sixth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  Part  I,  1886,  145  pp.,  3 

illustrations,  1  map.     By  Henry  G.  Hanks 

♦♦Part  II,  1887,  222  pp.,  36  illustrations.     William.  Irelan,  Jr 

♦♦Seventh  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1887,  315  pp.     William 

Irelan,  Jr. '. 

♦♦Eighth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1888,  948  pp.,  122  illustra- 
tions.    William  Irelan,  Jr 

♦♦Ninth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1889,  352  pp.,  57  illustra- 
tions, 2  maps.     William  Irelan,  Jr 

♦♦Tenth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1890,  983  pp.,  179  illustra- 
tions, 10  maps.     William  Irelan,  Jr 

Eleventh  Report  (First  Biennial)  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  for  the  two 
years  ending  September  15,  1892,  612  pp.,  73  illustrations,  4  maps. 
William  Irelan,  Jr $1.00 

♦♦Twelfth  Report  (Second  Biennial)  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  for  the  two 
years  ending  September  15,  1894,  541  pp.,  101  illustrations,  5  maps. 
J.  J.  Crawford : 

♦♦Thirteenth  Report  (Third  Biennial)  of  the  State  Mineralounst,  for  the  two 
years  ending  September  15,  1896,  T26  pp.,  93  illustrations,  1  map. 
J.  J.  Crawford 

Chapters  of  the  State  Mineralogist's  Report,  Biennial  Period,  1913-1914, 
Fletcher  Hamilton  : 

♦♦Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Amador,  Calaveras  and  Tuolurane  Counties, 

172  pp.,   paper _ 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Colusa,  Glenn,  Lake,  Marin,  Napa,  Solano, 

Sonoma  and  Yolo  Counties,  208  pp.,  paper .50 

Mines    and    Mineral    Resources,    Del    Norte,    Humboldt,    and    Mendocino 

Counties,  59  pp.,  paper .25 

♦♦Mines   and   Mineral   Resources,    Fresno,   Kern,   Kings,    Madera,    Mariposa, 

Merced,  San  Joaquin  and  Stanislaus  Counties,  220  pages,  paper 

Mines    and    Mineral    Resources    of    Imperial    and    San    Diego    Counties, 

113  pp.,   paper___ .35 

♦♦Mines    and    Mineral    Resources,    Shasta,    Siskiyou    and    Trinity    Counties, 

180  pp..   paper . __. 

Fourteenth  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  for  the  Biennial  Period  1913- 

1914,  Fletcher  Hamilton,  1915: 
A  General  Report  on  the  Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Amador,  Cala- 
veras, Tuolumne,  Colusa,  Glenn,  Lake,  Marin,  Napa,  Solano,  Sonoma, 
Yolo,  Del  Norte,  Humboldt,  Mendocino,  Fresno,  Kern,  Kings,  Madera, 
Mariposa,  Merced,  San  Joaquin,  Stanislaus,  San  Diego,  Imperial, 
Shasta,  Siskiyou,  and  Trinity  Counties,  974  pp.,  275  illustrations, 
cloth — 

Chapters  of  the    State   Mineralogist's    Report,   Biennial    Period,   1915-1916, 
Fletcher  Hamilton  : 
Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Alpine,  Inyo  and  Mono  Counties,  176  pp., 

paper    . .65 

Same,  including  geological  map  of  Inyo  County 1.25 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Butte,  Lassen,  Modoc,  Sutter,  and  Tehama 

Counties,  91  pp.,  paper .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  El  Dorado,  Placer,  Sacranaento,  and  Yuba 

Counties,  198  pp.,  paper ,,, .65 


STATISTICS   OP  ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  151 

REPORTS— Continued. 
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Mines   and  Mineral   Resources,   Monterey,   San   Benito,    San   Luis  Obispo, 

Santa  Barbara,  and  Ventura  Counties,  183  pp.,  paper $0.65 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Los  Angeles,  Orange,  and  Riverside  Counties, 

136   pp.,    paper .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  San  Bernardino  and  Tulare  Counties,  186  pp., 

paper . .65 

Fifteenth  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  for  the  Biennial  Period  1915- 
1916,  Fletcher  Hamilton,  1917: 
A  general  Report  on  the  Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Alpine,  Inyo, 
Mono,  Butte,  Lassen,  Modoc,  Sutter,  Tehama,  Placer,  Sacramento, 
Yuba,  Los  Angeles,  Orange,  Riverside,  San  Benito,  San  Luis  Obispo, 
Santa  Barbara,  Ventura,  San  Bernardino  and  Tulare  Counties,  990  pp., 

413  illustrations,  cloth ,  3.75 

Chapters    of    the    State    Mineralogist's    Report,    Biennial    Period    1917-1918, 
Fletcher  Hamilton  : 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Nevada  County,  270  pp.,  paper .75 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Plumas  County,  188  pp.,  paper .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Sierra  County,  144  pp.,  paper .50 

Seventeenth  Report  of   the   State  Mineralogist,   1920,   Mining  in   California 

during  1920,  Fletcher  Hamilton;  562  pp.,  71  illustrations,  cloth 1.75 

Eighteenth   Report  of   the   State   Mineralogist,   1922,   Mining  in   California, 
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Fletcher  Hamilton  and  Lloyd   L.   Root.     January,   February,   March, 

September,  1923 Free 

Chapters  of  Twentieth  Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  'Mining  in  California,' 
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1924,  per  copy .25 

Subscription,  $1.00  in  advance  (by  calendar  year,  only). 
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BULLETINS. 
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♦♦Bulletin  No.  1.     A  Description   of   Some  Desiccated  Human   Reniains,  by 

Winslow  Anderson.     1888,  41  pp.,  6  illustrations 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  2.     Methods  of  Mine  Timbering,    by   W.   H.   Storms.     1804, 

58  pp.,  75  illustrations 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  3.     Gas  and  Petroleum  Yielding  Formations  of  Central  Valley 

of  California,  by  W.  L.  Watts.    1894,  100  pp.,  13  illustrations,  4  maps_     

♦♦Bulletin  No.  4.     Catalogue  of  Californian  Fossils,  by  J.  G.  Cooper,  1894, 

73  pp.,  67  illustrations.     (Part  I  was  published  in  the  Seventh  Annual 

Report  of  the  State  Mineralogist,  1887. )! 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  5.     The  Cyanide  Process,  1894,  by  Dr.  A.  Scheidel.    140  pp., 

46  illustrations : 

Bulletin  No.  6.     California  Gold  Mill  Practices,  1895,  by  E.  B.  Preston, 

85  pp.,  46  illustrations .50 


152  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

BULLETINS— Continued. 

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♦♦Bulletin  No.  7.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by   Counties    for    the 

year  18^,  by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  8.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by    Counties    for   the 

year  1895,  by  Charles  G.  Yale.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin   No.   9.     Mine  Drainage,  Pumps,   etc.,   by   Hans  C.  Behr.     1896, 

210  pp.,  206  illustrations 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  10.     A  bibliography  Relating  to  the  Geology,  Palsentology  and 

Mineral  Resources  of  California,  by  Anthony  W.  Vogdes.    1896,  121  pp.     

♦♦Bulletin  No.  11.     Oil  and  Gas  Yielding  Formations  of  Los  Angeles,  Ventura 

and  Santa  Barbara  counties,  by  W.  L.  Watts.     1897,  94  pp.,  6  maps, 

31  illustrations 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  12.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties  for  1896, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  13.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties  for  1897, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  14.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties  for  1898, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale 

♦♦Bulletin  No.   15.     Map   of  Oil   City   Fields,   Fresno  County,   by  John  H. 

Means.     1899  

♦♦Bulletin  No.  16.     The  Genesis  of  Petroleum  and  Asphaltum  in  California, 

by  A.  S.  Cooper.     1899,  39  pp.,  29  illustrations 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  17.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties  for  1899, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin   No.   18.     Mother  Lode  Region   of  California,  by  W.   H.   Storms. 

1900,  154  pp.,  49  illustrations 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  19.     Oil  and  Gas  Yielding  Formations  of  California,  by  W.  L. 

Watts.    1900,  236  pp.,  60  illustrations,  8  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  20.     Synopsis  of  General  Report  of  State  Mining  Bureau,  by 

W.  L.  Watts.     1901,  21  pp.    This  bulletin  contains  a  brief  statement 

of  the  progress  of  the  mineral  industry  in  California  for  the  four  years 

ending  December,  1899 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  21.     Mineral  Production  of  California  by  Counties,  by  Charles 

G.  Yale.    1900.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  22.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Fourteen  Years,  by 

Charles  G.  Yale.    1900.    Tabulated  sheet 

Bulletin  No.  23.     The  Copper  Resources  of  California,  by  P.  0.  DuBois, 

F.  M.  Anderson,  J.  H.  Tibbits  and  G.  A.  TVeedy.     1902,  282  pp.,  69 
illustrations,  and  9  maps $0.50 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  24.    The  Saline  Deposits  of  California,  by  G.  E.  Bailey.    1902, 

216  pp.,  99  illustrations,  5  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  25.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  for  1901, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  26.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  the  past  Fifteen 

Years,  by  Charles  G.  Yale.     1902.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin   No.    27.     The   Quicksilver   Resources   of   California,    by   William 

Forstner.     1903,  273  pp.,  144  illustrations,  8  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  28.     Mineral  Production  of  California,   for  1902,  by  Charles 

G.  Yale.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  29.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Sixteen  Years,  by 

Charles  G.  Yale.     1903.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  30.     Bibliography  Relating  to  the  Geology,  Palsentology,  and 

Mineral  Resources  of  California,  by  A.  W.  Vogdes.    1903,  290  pp 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  31.     Chemical  Analyses  of  California  Petroleum,  by  H.  N. 

Cooper.     1904.     Tabulated  sheet .-     

♦♦Bulletin  No.  32.     Production  and  Use  of  Petroleum  in  California,  by  Paul 

W.  Prutzman.     1904,  230  pp.,  116  illustrations,  14  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  33.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  for  1903, 

by   Charles   G.   Yale.     Tabulated   sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  34.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Seventeen  Years, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    1904.    Tabulated  sheet 

*  ♦Bulletin  No.  35.     Mines  and  Minerals  of  California,  by  Charles  G.  Yale. 

1904,  55  pp.,  20  county  maps.    Relief  map  of  California— ,=^^-, 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL  PRODUCTION.  153 

BULLETINS— Continued. 

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**Bulletin  No.  36.     Gold  Dredging  in  California,  by  J.  E.  Doolittle.     1905, 

120  pp.,  06  illustrations,  3  maps 

Bulletin   No.  37.     Gems,   Jewelers'   Materials,  and   Ornamental   Stones  of 

California,  by  George  F.  Kuntz.     1905,  168  pp.,  54  illustrations $0.25 

♦♦Bulletin   No.  38.     Structural   and   Industrial   Materials   of  California,   by 

Wm.  Forstner,  T.  C.  Hopkins,  C.  Naramore  and  L.  H.  Eddy.     1906, 

412  pp.,  150  illustrations,  1  map '. 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  30.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  for  1904, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet , 

♦♦Bulletin   No.   40.     Mineral   Production  of  California  for   Eighteen  Years, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.     1905.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  41.     Mines  and  Minerals  of  California,  for  1904,  by  Charles 

G.  Yale.     1905,  54  pp.,  20  county  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  42.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  1905,  by 

Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin   No.  43.     Mineral   Production   of  California  for  Nineteen  Years, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  44.     California  Mines  and  Minerals  for  1905,  by  Charles  G. 

Yale.     1907,  31  pp.,  20  county  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  45.     Auriferous  Black  Sands  of  California,  by  J.  A.  Edman. 

1907.     10  pp 

Bulletin  No.  46.     General   Index  of  Publications  of  the  California   State 

Mining  Bureau,  by  Charles  G.  Yale.     1907,  54  pp .30 

♦♦Bulletin   No.  47.     Mineral   Production   of   California,   by   Counties,   1906, 

by  Charles  G.  Yale.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin    No.   48.      Mineral    Production  of   California   for   Twenty   Years. 

1906,  by  Charles  G.  Yale 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  49.     Mines  and  Minerals  of  California  for  1906,  by  Charles 

G.  Yale.     34  pp 

Bulletin  No.  50.     The  Copper  Resources  of  California,  1908,  by  A.  Haus- 

mann,  J.  Kruttschnitt,  Jr.,  W.  E.  Thorne  and  J.  A.  Edman,  366  pp., 

74  illustrations.      (Revised  edition.) 1.00 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  51.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  1907,  by 

D.  H.  Walker.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  52.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Twenty-one  Years, 

1907,  by  D.  H.  Walker.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  53.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  1907,  with  County 

Maps,  by  D.  H.  Walker,  62  pp 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  54.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  by  D.  H. 

Walker,  1908.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  55.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Twenty-two  Years, 

by  D.  H.  Walker,  1908.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin   No.   56.     Mineral  Production   for  1908,   with  County  Maps  and 

Mining  Laws  of  California,  by  D.  H.  Walker.     78  pp 

♦♦Bulletin   No.  57.     Gold   Dredging  in   California,  by  W.   B.   Winston  and 

Chas.  Janin.    1910,  312  pp.,  239  illustrations  and  10  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  58.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties,  by  D.  H. 

Walker,  1909.     Tabulated  sheet ^ 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  59.    Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Twenty-three  Years, 

by  D.  H.  Walker,  1909.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  60.     Mineral  Production  for  1909,  County  Maps  and  Mining 

Laws  of  California,  by  D.  H.  Walker.    94  pp .    

♦♦Bulletin  No.  61.     Mineral  Production  of  California,  by  Counties  for  1910, 

by  D.  H.  Walker.    Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  62.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Twenty-four  Years, 

by  D.  H.  Walker,  1910.     Tabulated  sheet 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  63.     Petroleum  in  Southern  California,  by  P.  W.  Prutzman. 

1912,  430  pp.,  41  illustrations,  6  maps 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  64.     Mineral  Production  for  1911,  by  E.  S.  Boalich.     49  pp 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  65.     Mineral  Production  for  1912,  by  E.  S.  Boalich.      64  pp.__     

♦♦Bulletin  No.  66.     Mining  Laws  of  the  United  States  and  California.     1914, 

89  pp. ,,, . 


154  MINERAL    INDUSTRY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

BULLETINS— Continued. 

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♦♦Bulletin    No.    67.      Minerals   of   California,    by    Arthur    S.    Eakle.      1914, 

226   pp.    - 

♦♦Bulletin  No.   68.     Mineral   Production   for  1913,  with   County   Maps   and 

Mining  Laws,  by  E.  S.  Boalich.     160  pp ^     

♦♦Bulletin   No.  69.     Petroleum  Industry  of  California,   with  Folio  of  Maps 
(18  by  22),  by  R.  P.  McLaughlin  and  C.  A.  Waring.     1914,  519  pp., 

13  illustrations,  83  figs,     [18  plates  in  accompanying  folio.] 

♦♦Bulletin   No.   70.     Mineral   Production   for   1914,  with  County  Maps  and 

Mining  Laws.     184  pp 

♦♦Bulletin   No.   71.     Mineral   Production   for  1915,   with  County   Maps   and 

Mining  Laws,  by  Walter  W.  Bradley.     193  pp.,  4  illustrations 

Bulletin  No.  72.     The  Geologic  Formations  of  California,  by  James  Perrin 

Smith.     1916,  47  pp $0.25 

Reconnaissance  Geologic  Map  (of  which,  Bulletin  72  is  explanatory), 

in  23  colors.     Scale :  1  inch  equals  12  miles.     Mounted 2.50 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  73.     First  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Oil  and  Gas  Super- 
visor of  California,  for  the  fiscal  year  1915-16,  by  R.  P.  McLaughlin. 

278  pp.,  26  illustrations 

Bulletin  No.  74.     Mineral  Production  of  California  in  1916,  with  County 

Maps,  by  Walter  W,  Bradley,     179  pp.,  12  illustrations Free 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  75.     United  States  and  California  Mining  Laws,  1917.    115  pp., 

paper 

Bulletin  No.  76.     Manganese  and  Chromium  in  California,  by  Walter  W. 
Bradley,   Emile  Huguenin,    C.   A.   Logan,    W.   B.   Tucker   and   O.   A. 

Waring,  1918.    248  pp.,  51  illustrations,  5  maps,  paper .50 

Bulletin    No.   77,     Catalogue  of   Publications   of  California   State  Mining 

Bureau,  1880-1917,  by  E,  S.  Boalich.     44  pp.,  paper Free 

Bulletin  No.  78.     Quicksilver  Resources  of  California,  with  a  Section  on 
Metallurgy  and  Ore-Dressing,  by  Walter  W.  Bradley,  1918.     389  pp., 

77  photographs  and  42  plates  (colored  and  line  cuts),  cloth 1.50 

Bulletin  No.  79,     Magnesite  in  California,      (In  preparation.) 

Bulletin    No.    80.     Tungsten,    Molybdenum    and    Vanadium    in    California. 

rin   preparation,)    

Bulletin  No,  81.     Foothill  Copper  Belt  of  California.     (In  preparation.) 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  82.     Second  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Oil  and  Gas  Super- 
visor, for  the  fiscal  year  1916-1917,  by  R,  P.  McLaughlin,  1918.    412  pp., 

31  illustrations,  cloth 

Bulletin   No.   83.     California   Mineral   Production    for  1917,  with  County 

Maps,  by  Walter  W.  Bradley.     179  pp,,  paper Free 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  84.     Third  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Oil  and  Gas  Saper- 
visor,    for    the    fiscal    year    1917-1918,    by    R.    P.    McLaughlin,    1918. 

617  pp.,  28  illustrations,  cloth 

*  ♦Bulletin  No.  85,    Platinum  and  Allied  Metals  in  California,  by  C.  A.  Logan, 

1919.     10  photographs,  4  plates,  120  pp.,  paper : .50 

Bulletin   No.   86.     California   Mineral   Production   for  1918,   with    County 

Maps,  by  Walter  W.  Bradley,  1919.     212  pp.,  paper Free 

♦♦Bulletin  No.  87.     Commercial  Minerals  of  California,  with  notes  on  their 
uses,    distribution,    properties,    ores,    field    tests,    and    preparation    for 

market,  by  W.  O.  Castello,  1920.     124  pp.,  paper 

Bulletin    No.   88.     California   Mineral   Production    for  1919,   with   County 

Maps,  by  Walter  W.  Bradley,  1920.     204  pp.,  paper ^ Free 

♦♦Bulletin  No,  89,    Petroleum  Resources  of  California,  with  Special  Reference 
to  Unproved  Areas,  by  Lawrence  Vander  Leek,  1921.     12  figures,  6 

photographs,  6  maps  in  pocket,  186  pp.,  cloth 1.25 

Bulletin   No.  90.     California  Mineral   Production  for  1920,   with  County 

Maps,  by  Walter  W.  Bradley,  1921.     218  pp.,  paper Free 

Bulletin  No.  91.     Minerals  of  California,  by  Arthur  S.  Eakle,  1923,  328  pp., 

cloth   1.00 

Bulletin  No.  02,     Gold  Placers  of  California,  by  Chas,  S.  Haley,  1923,    167 
pp,,  36  photographs  and  7  plates   (colored  and  line  cuts,  also  geologic 

map),  cloth $1,50 

Extra  copies  of  the  Geologic  Map  (in  4  colors) .50 


STATISTICS   OF   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  155 

Bulletin  No.  93.     California  Mineral  Production  for  1922,  by  Walter  W. 

Bradley,  1923 Free 

Bulletin  No.  94.     California  Mineral  Production  for  1923,  by  Walter  W. 

Bradlej%  1924 Free 

PRELIMINARY   REPORTS. 

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♦♦Preliminary  Report  No.  1.     Notes  on  Damage  by  Water  in  California  Oil 

Fields,  December,  1913.     By  R.  P.  McLaughlin.     4  pp 

♦♦Preliminary  Report  No.  2.     Notes  on  Damage  by  Water  in  California  Oil 

Fields,  March,  1914.     By  R.  P.  McLaughlin.     4  pp 

Preliminary   Report  No.  8.     Manganese  and   Chromium,   1917.     By   E.    S. 

Boalich.    32  pp 

Preliminary   Report   No.   4.     Tungsten,   Molybdenum   and   Vanadium.     By 

E.  S.  Boalich  and  W.  O.  Castello,  1918.     34  pp.     Paper Free 

Preliminary  Report  No.  5.     Antimony,  Graphite,  Nickel,  Potash,  Strontium 

and  Tin.    By  E.  S.  Boalich  and  W.  O.  Castello,  1918.    44  pp.    Paper__     Free 
Preliminary  Report  No.  6.    A  Review  of  Mining  in  California  During  1919. 

Fletcher  Hamilton,  1920.     43  pp.  Paper Free 

♦♦Preliminary  Report  No.  7.  The  Clay  Industry  in  California.  By  E.  S. 
Boalich,  W.  O.  Castello,  E.  Huguenin,  C.  A.  Logan,  and  W.  B.  Tucker, 

1920.  102  pp.     24  illustrations.     Paper 

Preliminary    Report   No.    8.     A   Review    of   Mining   in    California    During 

1921,  with  Notes  on  the  Outlook  for  1922.     Fletcher  Hamilton,  1922. 
68  pp.     Paper 

MISCELLANEOUS   PUBLICATIONS. 

Asterisks  (**)  indicate  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 

♦♦First  Annual  Catalogue  of  the  State  Museum  of  California,  being  the  collec- 
tion made  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  during  the  year  ending  April  16, 
1881,     350  pp 

♦♦Catalogue  of  books,  maps,  lithographs,  photographs,  etc.,  in  the  library  of 

the  State  Mining  Bureau  at  San  Francisco,  May  15,  1884.    19  pp 

♦♦Catalogue  of  the  State  Museum  of  California,  Volume  II,  being  the  collec- 
tion made  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  from  April  16,  1881,  to  May  5, 
1884.     220  pp 

♦♦Catalogue  of  the  State  Museum  of  California,  Volume  III,  being  the  collec- 
tion made  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  from  May  15,  1884,  to  March  31, 
1887.     195  pp 

♦♦Catalogue  of  the  State  Museum  of  California,  Volume  IV,  being  the  collec- 
tion made  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau  from  March  30,  1887,  to  August 
20,   1890.     261  pp - — — 

♦♦Catalogue  of  the  Library  of  the  California  State  Mining  Bureau,  September 

1,  1892.     149  pp 

♦♦Catalogue  of  West  North  American  and  Many  Foreign  Shells  with  Their 
Geographical  Ranges,  by  J.  G.  Cooper.  Printed  for  the  State  Mining 
Bureau,  April,  1894 

♦♦Report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  four  years  ending  September,  1900. 

15  pp.      Paper 

Bulletin.     Reconnaissance   of   the   Colorado   Desert   Mining   District.     By 

Stephen  Bowers,  1901.    19  pp.     2  illustrations.     Paper Free 

Commercial    Mineral    Notes.      A    monthly    mimeographed    sheet,    beginning 

April,  1923 Free 


156  MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

MAPS. 

Registers  of  Mines  WitPi   Maps. 

Asterisks  (*♦)  indicate  out  of  print. 

Price 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Amador  County   $0.25 

^•♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Butte   County   .25 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Calaveras  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  El    Dorado    County . 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Inyo  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Kern    County    

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Lake  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Mariposa  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Nevada  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Placer    County    

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Plumas    County    

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  San  Bernardino  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  San  Diego  County 1     

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Santa  Barbara  County .25 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Shasta  County . 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Sierra    County   

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Siskiyou  County 

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Trinity    County    

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Tuolumne   County   

♦♦Register  of  Mines,  with  Map,  Yuba  County . 

Register  of  Oil  Wells,  with  Map,  Los  Angeles  City : 

OTHER    MAPS. 

Asterisks  (**)  indicate  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 

**Map  of  California,   Showing  Mineral  Deposits    (50x60  in.)  — 
Map  of  Forest  Reserves  in  California — 

Mounted  .50 

♦♦Unmounted    '. 

♦♦Mineral  and  Relief  Map  of  California 

♦♦Map  of  El  Dorado  County,   Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests ^_ 

♦♦Map  of  Madera  County,  Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests 

♦♦Map  of  Placer  County,   Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests 

♦♦Map  of  Shasta  County,  Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests 

♦♦Map  of  Sierra  County,  Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests 

♦♦Map  of  Siskiyou  County,  Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests 

♦♦Map  of  Tuolumne  County,   Showing  Boundaries,  National  Forests 

♦♦Map  of  Mother  Lode    Region 

♦♦Map  of  Desert  Region  of  Southern  California 

Map  of  Minaret  District,   Madera   County .20 

Map  of  Copper  Deposits  in  California . .05 

♦♦Map  of  Calaveras  County  -     

Map  of  Plumas  County .25 

♦♦Map  of  Trinity  County   

Map  of  Tuolumne  County .25 

Geological  Map  of  Inyo  County.    Scale  1  inch  equals  4  miles .60 

Map  of  California  accompanying  Bulletin  No.  89,  showing  generalized  classi- 
fication  of  land  with  regard   to  oil  possibilities.     Map  only,   without 

Bulletin    . . .25 

Geological  Map  of  California,  1916.  Scale  1  inch  equals  12  miles.  As 
accurate  and  up-to-date  as  available  data  will  permit  as  regards  topog- 
raphy and  geography.  Shows  railroads,  highways,  post  offices  and  other 
towns.  First  geological  map  that  has  been  available  since  1892,  and 
shows  geology  of  entire  state  as  no  other  map  does.     Geological  details 

lithographed  in  23  colors.     Mounted 2.50 

Topographic   Map   of    Sierra   Nevada   Gold   Belt,    showing   distribution    of 

auriferous  gravels.     In  4  colors .50 


STATISTICS   OP   ANNUAL   PRODUCTION.  157 

OIL    FIELD    MAPS. 

These  maps  are  revised  from  time  to  time  as  development  work  advances  and 
ownerships  change. 

Price 

Map  No.     1 — Sargent,  Santa  Clara  County $0.50 

Map  No.     2 — Santa  Maria,  including  Cat  Canyon  and  Los  Alamos .75 

Map  No.     3 — Santa  Maria,  including  Casmalia  and  Lompoc .75 

Map  No.     4 — Whittier-Fullerton,    including    Olinda,    Brea    Canyon,    Puente 

Hills,  East  Coyote  and  Richfield .75 

Map  No.     5 — Whittier-Fullerton,     including    Whittier"    West    Coyote,     and 

Montebello .75 

Map  No.     6 — Salt  Lake,  Los  Angeles  County . .75 

Map  No.     7 — Sunset  and  San  Emido  and  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.     8 — South  Midway  and  Buena  Vista  Hills,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.     9 — North  Midway  and  McKittrick,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.  10 — Belridge  and  McKittrick,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.  11 — Lost  Hills  and  North  Belridge,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.  12 — Devils  Den,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.  13 — Kern  River,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.  14 — Coalinga,  Fresno  County .75 

Map  No.  15 — Elk  Hills,  Kern  County .75 

Map  No.  16 — Ventura-Ojai,  Ventura  County ^ .75 

Map  No,  17 — Santa  Paula-Sespe  Oil  Fields,  Ventura  County .75 

Map  No.  18— Piru-Simi-Newhall  Oil  Fields .75 

Map  No.  19 — Arroyo  Grande,  San  Luis  Obispo  County .75 

Map  No.  20— Long  Beach   Oil   Field 1.00 

Map  No.  21 — Portion  of  District  4,  Show^ing  Boundaries  of  Oil  Fields,  Kern 

and  Kings  counties .75 

Map  No.  22 — Portion    of    District    3,    Showing    Oil    Fields,    Santa    Barbara 

County   .75 

I    Map  No.  23^Portion    of    District    2,    Showing    Boundaries    of    Oil    Fields, 

f                                     Ventura  County .75 

I    Map  No.  24 — Portion  of  District  1,  Showing  Boundaries  of  Oil  Fields,  Los 

'                                       Angeles  and  Orange  counties , .75 

Map  No.  2G— Huntington  Beach  Oil  Field .75 

Map  No.  27— Santa  Fe  Springs  Oil  Field , .75 

Map  No.  28 — Torrance,  Los  Angeles  County .75 

Mnp  No.  2f) — Dominguez,    Los    Angeles    County 1.00 

DETERMINATION    OF    MINERAL   SAMPLES. 

Samples  (limited  to  three  at  one  time)  of  any  mineral  found  in  the  state  may  be 
sent  to  the  Bureau  for  identification,  and  the  same  will  be  classified  free  of  charge. 
No  samples  will  be  determined  if  received  from  points  outside  the  state.  It  must  be 
understood  that  no  assays,  or  quantitative  determinations  will  be  made.  Samples 
should  be  in  lump  form  if  possible,  and  marked  plainly  with  name  of  sender  on 
outside  of  package,  etc.  No  samples  will  be  received  unless  delivery  charges  are 
prepaid.  A  letter  should  accompany  sample,  giving  locality  where  mineral  was  found 
and   the   nature   of   the    information   desired. 


INDEX. 


Page 

Alameda  County 122 

Alpine  County  _1 122 

Aluminum 34 

Amador  County 122 

Amblygonlte    102 

Andalusite    106 

mine,  photo  of 106,  107 

Antimony    34 

native    34 

total  production 35 

Apper.dix    146 

Architectural  terra  cotta 87 

Arrowhead  Hot  Springs,  radioactiv- 
ity at 101 

Arsenic 35 

Art  pottery 87 

Asbestos   84 

total  production 85 

Asphalt 59 

Ball  clay 87 

Barytes 85 

total  production 86 

Ballast    81 

Bauxite 34 

Benitoite 93 

Beryl 36,  93 

Beryllium 35 

Bismuth    36 

Bisque  ware 87 

Bituminous  rock 59 

total  production ^ 59 

liorates 112 

production,  1864-1923 114 

Bowles,  O.,  cited 1 76 

Bradley,  W.  "W.,  cited 24,   69,  89 

Brown,  J.  R.,  cited 38 

Brick 59-62 

production  of  various  kinds 60 

total  production,  1893-1923 62 

Building  stone.     (See  Granite,  Mar- 
ble,  Sandstone,   etc.) 

lUilletins,    list    of 151 

I'.ush,  R.  D.,  cited 19 

Butte  County 123 

Cadmium    36 

Calaveras  County 123 

Calcium  chloride 1 114 

use  on  roads 115 

California,  area  of 121 

map  of,  showing  approximate  lo- 
cation of  oil  fields 28 

Californite   93 

Calistoga  'geysers' 101 

Carbon  dioxide  gas  produced 17 

Casing-head  gas : 17 

Celestite   111 

Cement    62 

total  production 63 

Chalcedony    92 


Page 

Champion  Porcelain  Co 106,  107 

Chromite 63-65 

concentration  of . 65 

imports  of 65 

occurrence  of 64 

total  production 65 

Chrysoprase 93 

Cinders   81 

Clay — pottery   86-88 

production,  1887-1923 88 

products 87 

uses  of,  other  than  for  pottery 86 

Coal 14 

total  production  of 15 

Cobalt 37 

Colemanite 113 

Collom,  R.  E.,  cited 24 

Colusa   County 123 

Concentration  of  chromite 65 

of  molybdenum 47 

Contra  Costa  County 124 

Copper    33,  38-39 

flotation  concentration  of 38 

production,  1882-1923 38-39 

'Cornish'  or  'Cornwall'  stone 87 

Counties,   mineral  production  of 121-145 

Crushed  rock 80,  81 

Cryolite  —. 34 

Cyanite 108 

Curbing    67 

Del  Norte  County 124 

Diamonds   92 

Diatomaceous  earth 96 

Dividends  by  oil  companies 30 

Dolomite    88 

total  production 89 

Drain  tile 87 

Dredge  production  of  platinum 48 

Dredging,   gold 41 

El  Dorado  County 125 

Elephant  Deep  Hydraulic  Mine 40 

Electric  smelting  of  ferro  alloys 43 

Faience  tile 87 

Feldspar 89 

grades  of 89 

total  production 90 

Ferberite     i 55 

Ferro-chrome  by  electric  furnace —  43 

Ferro-manganese   44,  45 

by  electric   furnace 44 

Ferro-tungsten    56 

Filter   sand   80 

Fire   brick   61 

clay    87 

Fluorspar 90 

Foundry  core  sand 80 

Fresno  County 125 

Fuels   14 

Fuller's  earth 91 

total  production 92 


160 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Page 

Garnets 92 

Gas     (See    Natural    Gas) 

Gasoline  from  natural  gas 17 

Gavin,  M.  J.,  cited 104 

Gems   92 

total  production 93 

varieties   92 

Geysers  at  Calistoga 101 

California,  radioactivity  at 101 

Glass  sand 105 

Glenn   County 126 

Gold    33,  39-42 

outlook  for  1924 39 

production  by  counties,  1923 40 

total  production 42 

Goodyear,  W.  A.,  cited 15 

Granite 66 

production,   1887-1923 68 

varieties  of,  in  California 66 

Graphite 94 

total  production 95 

Gravel 80 

Greenstone  granules 81 

Grinding  mill  pebbles 79 

Gypsum 95 

total  production 96 

uses   95 

Hanks,  Henry,  cited 21 

High-speed  steels 56 

Hill,   J.   M.,  cited 41,  49,   53 

Hollow  building  tile  or  blocks .__  60,   61 

Hiibnerite 55 

Humboldt  County 126 

Hydrargillite 34 

Hydrocarbons    14-32 

Imperial  County 126 

Industrial  materials 83-111 

Infusorial  earth 96 

total   production 97 

Inyo   County 127 

Iridium    43,   48 

Iron  ore ^ 43 

electric  smelting  of 43 

total  production 43 

Jewelers'   materials    (See   Gems) 

Kern  County   127 

Kieselguhr   96 

Kings  County 128 

Kunzite ^ 93 

Lake  County 129 

Lapis  lazuli 92 

Lassen   County 129 

Lassen   Peak 141 

Lawyer,  A.  M.,  cited 54 

Lead    43-44 

production,  1887-1923 44 

Lepidolite   98 

Lime    68 

production,  1894-1923 69 

Limestone     97 

production,  1894-1923 '.^  98 

Lithla    98 

Lithopone 85 

Los  Angeles  County 129 

Macadam    81 

MacDowell,  C.  H.,  cited 117 


Page 

Madera  County 130 

Magnesite 69-73 

duty  on —  71 

imports  of 71 

mines,  photos  of 72 

occurrence  of 70 

producing  districts 69 

production  by  counties 70 

production    1887-1923    73 

refractories  plants 71 

uses  of 1 70 

values  of 69 

Magnesium  salts 116 

Maltby  No.  2  magnesite  mine 72 

Manganese   44-46 

domestic  resources  of 45 

imports  of,  from  Brazil 44 

total   production 46 

Marble 73 

production,   1887-1923' 74 

Marin  County 130 

Mariposa   County 131 

Masser,   H.   L.,   cited 16 

Mendocino  County 131 

Merced  County 131 

Metals 33-57 

Mica 99 

Mineral  industry,  review  of 9 

output  by  counties 12,  121-145 

output,   comparative  value,   1922- 

1923   11,  12 

paint    100 

production  of  California,  totals  by 

years,  since  1887 13 

water 101 

effect  of  prohibition  on 102 

production,    1887-1923 102 

Minerals,     total    production    of    by 

years 13 

variety  of,  produced  in  California  10,  11 

Mining  Bureau  Act 146 

Miscellaneous  stone 77 

production,  1893-1923 82 

Modoc  County 132 

Molding   sand    80 

Molybdenum    46 

concentration  of 47 

Mono  County 132 

Monolith     Portland     Cement    Com- 
pany      63 

Monterey  County 133 

Monumental  stone 67 

Napa  County : 133 

Natural  gas 15-18 

gasoline  from 17,  18 

production,   1888-1923 17 

Nevada  County 133 

Nickel   47 

Nitrates    , 116 

Nitrogen,  atmospheric,  fixation  of 116 

Obsidian,  for  stucco  dash 81 

Oil    (See   Petroleum) 

fields,  chart  of  approximate  loca- 
tion of 28 

lands,  proved 32 

shale - 104 

Onyx    74 

Orange  County : 134 

Osmium    47 

Osmiridium    48 

Oxychloride  cement 71 


STATISTICS    OF    ANNUAIi    PRODITCTION. 


161 


Page 

Palladium 47,  48 

I'.iving  blocks 78 

I -cat     14 

I'rbbles  for  grinding  mills 79 

i'«'ck,   A.  B.,  cited 108 

i'ltroleum 18-32 

average  price  by  counties,   1915- 

1923 20 

capitalization    29 

litvidends  from '. 30 

Tcatures  of,  1923 18 

liiiancial  tables 29-31 

map    of    California,    approximate 

location  of  oil  fields 28 

operating  costs  by  fields 31 

outlook  for  1924 19 

prices  by  fields 31 

production,     1875-1923 21-22 

production  and  value  by  counties-  20 

production  by  fields 24,   26 

production    of    light    and    heavy 

gravities 24 

production  statistics,  1923_19,  20,  24,   26 

proved  oil  land 32 

statistics  of  w^ell  operations 23,   26 

storage    of 25 

yield  per  day  of  wells 25,  26,   31 

Phosphates 102 

Placer  County 134 

Platinum 47-50 

from  blister  copper 48 

prices  of 48 

production  of,  1887-1923 50 

stocks 1 49 

uses,  markets  and  consumption 49 

Plumas  County 135 

Porcelain 87 

Potash 117 

marketing  of 117 

total  production  of 118 

Pottery    clays    86-88 

Proved  oil  land 32 

Publications  of  State  Mining  Bureau 

149-200 

Pvimice    102 

•  Pyrite I03 

total   production   103 

Quartz    104,   105 

crystals 92 

Quicksilver 33,    50-52 

duty    on    50 

imports    of 50 

production,   1850-1923 51,   52 

prices     '   50 

uses  of 5] 


Sampson  Magnesite  mine. 

San   Benito   County 

San  Bernardino  County  _ 

San  Diego  County 

San   Francisco   County 

San  Joaquin  County 

San  Luis  Obispo  County 

San  Mateo  County 

Sand,  glass 

Sand    and    gravej    

Sandstone 

production,   1887-1923  — 

Sanitary  ware 

Santa   Barbara   County   _ 

Santa    Clara    County 

Santa  Cruz  County 

Sapphires    

Scheelite   

Segment    blocks    

Serpentine    

Sewer  pipe 

Shale  oil 

Shasta  County 

Sierra    County 


Radioactivity   of  hot   springs. 

Red  shale 

Reed,    A.    H.,    cited 

Rhodonite 

Rhyolite    

Riprap 

Riverside    County    " 

Roofing  tile   

Rubble    

Rubies 


Sacramento  County 

Salines 112. 

'Salt   cake'    

Salt    IIIIIIII 

production,    1887-1923 


101 
81 
90 
93 
67 
81 

135 
87 
81 


136 
-120 
119 
118 
119 


Page 

72 

136 

137 

137 

138 

138 

138 

139 

105 

80 

75 

75 

87 

139 

140 

140 

93 

55 

61 

75 

87 

104 

140 

141 

Silica 104-106 

total  production   106 

Sillimanite    106 

Silver 52-54 

production  by  counties 53 

production,    1880-1923 54 

Siskiyou  County 141 

Slate 76 

production,  1889-1923 77 

Soapstone 108-110 

total   production no 

uses    _  109 

Soda 119 

total   production    of 120 

Solano     County     142 

Sonoma  County 142 

Sorel  cement 71 

Specific  gravities  of  oil  produced 24 

Spelter    (See   Zinc) 

Standard  Oil  Bulletin,  cited 25 

Stanislaus   County 142 

State     Mineralogist     Report,     cited 

21,   43,   108 

list    of    150 

Oil   and   Gas   Supervisor,   cited 19 

Steatite   108 

Stone,  miscellaneous 77-82 

production  by  counties 80,   81 

production    by    years    82 

Stoneware 87 

Strontium no 

Structural  materials 58-82 

increased  production  of 58 

Stucco   dash,    granules   for 81 

Sulphur 110 

Sutter  County 143 


Talc 

uses    

Tehama  County 

Terra   cotta 

Thenardite 

Thomsonite 

Tile    

Tin 

Topaz    

Torbanite 

Tourmaline    


Trans.  Amer.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  cited 


108 

109 

143 

87 

119 

92 

87 

54 

92 

104 

93 

3« 


11—35173 


162 


MINERAL   INDUSTRY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Page 

Travertine    74 

Trinity  County —       143 

Trona 119 

Tube  mill  pebbles 79 

Tuff,  used  for  building  stone 67 

Tulare  County 144 

Tungsten    33,   55 

total  production 56 

Tuolumne  County 144 

United  States  Bureau  of  Mines,  cited 
76,   104 

Commerce  Reports,  cited ._         55 

Geological    Survey,    cited 

15,   39,  43,   55,   73 


Page 

Vanadium 57 

Ventura  County 145 

Volcanic  ash 102 

Watts,  A.  S.,  cited 80 

Witherite 85 

Wolframite 55 

Yale,  C.  G.,  cited . 41 

Yolo   County    145 

Yuba  County 145 

Zinc    57 

total  production 57 


A 


35173      1-25      2500 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  50  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.00  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


RECEIVED 

MPK     4  1980 

PHYS  SCI  LIBRARY 


^0\9S1 


JUN80  1984 
JUN30t985 


-UN  5  0  1986 
JUN  301986 

NOV  04  1986 iff. 
DECEIVED 

NOV    5  1986 

PHYS  SCI  LIBRAHY 


Book  Slip-25m-7,'53(A8998s4)458 


1133il 


California^  Department 
of  natural  resoiirces. 
Division  of  mines. 


^  ^n  .^a, 


PHYSICAL 
SCIENCES 
LIBRARY 


Call  Number: 

TN2U 
C3 
A3 
no*9U 


A3 


LIBRAKt 

XOUVBESITY  OF  CMJ^GtLMik 

PAVIS 


3  1175  00478  3224 


THE  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 

CORDIALLY    INVITES    YOU    TO    VISIT 

ITS    VARIOUS    DEPARTMENTS    MAINTAINED 

FOR  THE   PURPOSE   OF   FURTHERING 

THE    DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE 

MINERAL  RESOURCES  OF  CALI- 
FORNIA 

At  the  service  of  the  public  are  the  scientific 
reference  library  and  reading  room,  the  genera! 
Information  bureau,  the  laboratory  for  the  free 
determination  of  mineral  samples  found  in  the 
state,  and  the  largest  museum  of  mineral  speci- 
mens on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  time  and  attention 
of  the  state  mineralogist,  as  well  as  that  of  his 
technical    staff,    are    also    at    your    disposal. 

Office    hours:   9   a.m.    to   5   p.m.    daily 
Saturday,  9  a.m.  to   12  m. 

Lloyd   L.    Root, 
State    Mineralogist. 


Third  floor.  Ferry  Building,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Branch      Offices:      Pacific      Finance      Building,     Los 
Angeles;    Chamber   of    Commerce    Building,    Sacra- 
mento;   Bakersfield,    Taft,    Coalinga,    Santa    Maria, 
Santa    Paula, 


